WHEN JOHNNY KIDD & THE PIRATES WERE SHAKIN’ ALL OVER, I WAS DOING THE SAME AS I HANDED MY FIRST SCHOOL REPORT TO MY MOTHER (1960)

It was a good report, so one of the teachers said.  My mother sat and read it.

Her face was still as she concentrated on the information.

I watched for a twitch here and there but nothing for a while

Until her mouth slowly widened into the biggest, brightest smile.

She ruffled my hair and hugged me, saying “well done” twice,

I think I blushed, I know I blushed. “What a clever wee boy.”

“7 out of 10 for Sums,

10 out of 10 for Spelling,

8 out of 10 for Reading,

6 out of 10 for Writing,

8 out of 10 for Composition,

Class 3B, 8^th out of 45 children”

And one begrudged word at the bottom under remarks:

“Pass”. 8^th and only “Pass”.

I was entitled to one-seventh of her time and attention

But that late afternoon it was just us, no brothers or sisters,

Her smile beaming and her eyes lit,

One-seventh share of her time and attention,

But, briefly, I had all of it.