Police Course/ Burning Down the Banisters

I could say it was a rebellion,
A school kids revolution.
That we were fighting against the system,
Factory processed children; or
The failure of Government to better education,

But actually, I don't know what it was about.

The D of E bronze award police course,
At the school after classes.

One evening after class, away to the maths
Block we went. One with matches,
One with an old rag school shirt,
Another with deodorant.

We had learned that films show heroes pulling
damseld out of burning cars.
But in reality you can't get closer to a burning
car than 100 yards.

We had learned of crime
And learned of punishment.
The police sergeant had told us
Of chronic accidents;

That ended with smashed cars on pavements.

We ran away as the shirt took light,
Which ran blue flame up the maths block banisters.
Then shrivelled to a candle flame.
A pointless,
Silent riot.