Vanita Thakkar - Kindergarten days

My school days are, now, over,
But, to this day, I remember:
First, when I was admitted to the nursery,
I was as frightened as could be.
I looked around and wanted to flee;
Many little unfriendly eyes stared at me,
The stern-looking teacher, wearing a white saree,
With her sunken eyes, thro’ her glasses, glared at me.
I was made to sit in the first row.
Then, with a stick, she began to show
The number, on the board, which were written.
She said, “Say with me children, ONE.....”
“ONE, ” In unison my obedient classmates cried,
But, I couldn’t, for my throat had dried.
My eyes were on the long, thin stick
Which, to the deepest core, made me feel sick.
Thenafter, the sequence of troubles started.
Next morn, at eight, I was in bed.
Mummy came to awake me,
“You’ll be late to the school”, said she.
“I’ll never go there.” I declared.
I shed tears and screamed, but wasn’t spared.
Everyday, there were long sessions of weeping,
Till late hours, I kept on “sleeping”.
When “woken up”, I would say,
“I will not brush my teeth today
Because if at all I do so,
To the horrible school, I will have to go.”
Our neighbour’s son would be rushed to call the “police”.
Almost everyday, the school-bus I used to miss.
I, thus, was a fortnightly visitor.
Today, like a dream all this appears!
The other day, we met our old neighbour.
Looking at me she exclaimed, “Oh dear!
When you cried while going to the K.G.
I never thought, with distinction, you ‘ld pass higher secondary! ”


(28.07.1989)

Vanita Thakkar

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/kindergarten-days/