The Hapless Child

"Charlotte Sophia was left in the hands of the family lawyer."(Edward Gorey)

Welcome...

...to The (new revamped) Hapless Child.

I've recently begun to realise that I spend so much time looking at, reading and following that I have practically lost my ability to DO!

This updated blog is therefore, not only a concerted effort reanimate myself and my writing but also an attempt to share my work with others, open myself up to (hopefully) constructive criticism and avail myself the wealth of knowledge that you all have to offer.

Thanks for visiting - ENJOY!

Monday, 17 August 2009

Under Exam Conditions


Ninety Minutes Silence


Face rumpled, hair tousled,
frowning concentration.
Pencil stuck in hair scratching.
Lips murmuring...
chasing the words.
Pen scratches,
fingers counting,
pencil tracing
rubber scrubbing
pencil stubbing
Thoughts clicking
lips licking.
Brows drawn in concentration


Shoulders slumped, gazes glazing,
hand rubbing tired eyes.
Words blurring,
mind slowing
finger rubbing lips slowly.
Background rumbles
clock ticking
papers rustle
pencil pauses.
Mouth gaping yawns escaping
soft coughing hand muffling.
Head nodding, knuckle propping.

Nothing to do but sit and stare.
Nothing to do but sit and stir.




Miss-ing...


‘Miss, I haven’t got a pen – the library’s shut – they had no change Miss.

I couldn’t find my bag – I don’t have a ruler Miss.
Will I be in trouble Miss? Will I be sent home Miss?


Do I have to do this exam Miss?’


These are based on a series of free-write exercises I did whilst invigilating Y9 exams...ninety minutes is a very long time.

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