Wednesday, 11 April 2012

Upbringing, day 10


Upbringing.
The world was unready for bright girls, so she
Twisted sense, damped down sounds, protected self
Adjust the simple into a shroud,
A life preserving childhood shield
That would, like bonsai mould and hide
Understanding bullies could not abide.
This misshapen fitting-in she found
Can make you become invisible
And my careless learning made her sneer
An accusation, a warning: that bit hard,
Stopped up lips made us trudge for common ground
Where we would stay, armoured, wary, all our lives,
Though her envy for my tongue tied freedom
Would now and then confuse itself with pride

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