Hidden Lives Revealed. A virtual archive - children in care 1881-1981 * Image of handwritten text

I'm Standing Here

Photograph that inspired this poem or story

Waif girl

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I'm standing here, but I don't know why?
Mummy told me to, but I don't know why?
Daddy told me to, but I don't know why?
A man is here, but I don't know why?
They have vanished but I don't know why?
Screaming, but I don't know why?
The man is gone, but I don't know why?
Daddy is quiet, but I don't know why?
Mummy is crying, but I don't know why?
Nobody talks, but I don't know why?
Mummy is ill but I don't know why?
Daddy is mad, but I don't know why?
Mummy is crying, but I don't know why?
There is another man, but I don't know why?
He has a box, but I don't know why?
There is something in the box, but I don't know why?
He told me to come, but I don't know why?
There is a stand, but I don't know why?
There is something on the stand, but I don't know why?
FLASH, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY?

by a pupil at The Charter School



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