Poem: Electric Blue

A poem about the last day of primary school. December 1987.

Something about the very last day of primary school sits with me still. I remember being packed up and ready to leave — summer was grinning and Christmas was soon to call. And the walk home felt more freeing than any had before. I was finished here. And would be new to start elsewhere. In that moment, I was nowhere — and it sure felt fantastic. And as I made it up the street to my house, mum was blasting the brand new album by Icehouse, Man of Colours. We could hear it down the street. Other kids still on the walk at that point, said ‘your mum sure likes to play music so everyone can hear it’. I dropped my bag at the door, and jumped into the pool, fully clothed. It was wild to be in this moment. And it’s played over in my head for close to 40 years now. Not in a bad way at all, but not even in a good way. Just in a way. And that is okay. I just freeze. And it’s all over. Until the song gets played again. And again.