The common thread: Winner of the W. S. Graham competition for schools in Inverclyde

A single strand that stops the needle being threadForced to conform, a smile stitched on my face.Pulled tightly, strung like a dollAll forms of compassion must be shedJust to fit the common thread.

Oblivious to the wool binding their eyesYearning to be sewn.Never to be liberal, only materialMust act seamlessly or risk the threat.To be cut from the common thread

Why can't we unravel? To each their own—It shouldn't be hard they're only plastic,But their grip is iron.I dare to dream, they'll chop off my headIf I fray away from the common thread.