At 19, I was gone I ran Left my country and a mother who was mostly silent Escaped a father who was a brute I got the best of his worst, being the oldest son Expected to enter law or real estate Placed in boarding school at the age of nine I despised it It was the most expensive school in my country Though the public school had creative, imaginative teachers Those kids received a better education We had pretentiousness, networking and "proper" old school marms all the way from England My aunt -who shouldn't have- paid for it all My father -who shouldn't have- wanted my profound gratitude I haven't attended any reunions I did make friends for life Our bonds are more akin to having survived prison together When I took my son to visit the school you could still smell oppression in the wood I showed him where they made us kneel Sam Neill, the actor, graduated two years ahead of me Once a celebrated alumnus, they asked him to return He refuse...
Dasha Kelly Hamilton's ramblings, writing and random, wild imaginings.