Put down

 

My homework was still in my school satchel

as I sat glued to the television set

I forget what I was watching as it was not important

I had not been home for long

the tea was prepared on the dining room table

In he walked, the image of paternal authority

with a gift for words which could deprecate

¨Here sits the Perennial Box Watcher ¨, he announced

¨Nothing better to do with your time ¨.

I despised these cold vehement words of criticism

I gave up and I stood up and left the room

I was indignant with an inner fury

With my satchel I moved to another room

to be alone for an evening´s homework of 

Latin Grammar, History and English Literature

 

The family was seated together in the car

as we drove along a country lane

I noticed something in the distance which caught my interest

¨Isnt that gorgeous ¨, I exclaimed innocently

My father´s reply was terse and mocking

¨Only women use that word ¨, he replied with scorn

I felt wounded and sat silently unable to speak

I was put down with systematic regularity

Never a word of encouragement to lift my spirits. I felt forlorn

My father was embittered by war and austerity

Any talent I had was supressed out of fear

I failed at school through lack of interest

I became introvert with a stagnant mind

Instead of fermenting I festered