Just Can’t be Late
Got my recorder, doing up my shoes
Cleaning my teeth, no time to lose.
Where’s my bag and my P.E. kit?
If we don’t leave now, I won’t get a lift -
Scramble into my coat, fumble with zips
Wipe egg from my tie, toothpaste from my lips.
These hurried mornings are really not cool
But neither is being late for school
Trying so hard to go faster and faster…
Just can’t be late – I’m the headmaster!
Cleaning my teeth, no time to lose.
Where’s my bag and my P.E. kit?
If we don’t leave now, I won’t get a lift -
Scramble into my coat, fumble with zips
Wipe egg from my tie, toothpaste from my lips.
These hurried mornings are really not cool
But neither is being late for school
Trying so hard to go faster and faster…
Just can’t be late – I’m the headmaster!
This poem is copyright (©) Kit Weston 2026
About the Writer
Kit Weston
Former primary teacher and school librarian, Kit is an enthusiastic reader and creative writer, who runs poetry workshops for children. Living in The Garden of England, she takes inspiration from everything – though the natural world and the children she is privileged to teach do feature. Her poetry has appeared here (The Dirigible Balloon), Parakeet Magazine and has been used in schools from Tonbridge to Bristol! One of her poems has recently been translated into Croatian on behalf of JAR a Juvenile Arthritis Research charity, very close to her heart! You can find her @Kit_weston1.
