Over four years passed between Michael writing "When I changed:", his previous poem, and him writing this one. He wanted to do an extended piece about his late 70s/ early 80s high school, and the surrounding cultures, attitudes, and environments. That was "Golborne Comprehensive School" (now Golborne High School) in the northern, English borough of Wigan. Written in Michael's syllabic style, this is his largest poem, a true story, and for him, a possible/ personal route, back to more verse.