Queen of Hearts

To school, Sophie wore ankle socks and a pinafore dress
And she flashed her gap-toothed grin at those she deigned to address
As Sir or Miss. She cashed in on her honey-blonde hair
Letting us plait it into submission; she was the heir
Of the playground throne. We explored the long grass
The wilderness of the school field, until somebody would grass
On her for throwing snails, which we hunted until the dreaded whistle.
And nobody could whistle like Sophie could whistle
And spit, and collect frogs, pennies, bottle-tops.
Stashing them in her pockets, she would climb to the very tops
Of the trees, to survey her kingdom, and flash us her gym-knickers
And her slick tongue, daring us to stare at those frilly pink knickers.
Shouting at teachers, her wide mouth stained with ink, a perfect ellipse
She is told to wash out her mouth and glue shut her lips.