Bluecoat Blues by Julie Swallow

Bluecoat Blues by Julie Swallow

Tangible tales from titbits A sonnet sewn from snippets Pre-Scouse scally-wags Salvaged from silhouettes Green-fingered grandad’s “Little seed” lost at sea Pence, praise, punishment, prayers Hard lessons learnt, reports, that which remains Schooled, then sold into bondage Beyond the courtyard And the gates What fate Awaits Orphaned boys

1800 Follies Fair Fearless Flee for Freedom 107 boys were there 25 expelled 7 missing

Here, women weave words For ghost girls, gone Silenced Sent into service

Richard Fowler read aloud His urine sold Long before Robbie scored

In Chapel requests for God’s mercy But Merciless non-care for Malik Child of Colour in Care Oxymoron Two centuries later