My 10th grade year,
Dad put my brother,
Tobin and I in a
private school in
Camarillo California.
Mom sent us
to live with him after
we traded our
education, back in
Des Moines, for weed and
sitting around
listening to Led
Zeppelin records in the
basement.
We had it all figured out.
Before we started
a day of class, we
went on a week-long
skiing trip to
Sequoia National Park.
I loved that school.
A passion grew in
me for literature,
Melville and Dickens,
Dylan Thomas and the
rest of the greats visited
me in my dreams.
They were good, gentle
nights back then.
I wrote a paper on
Billy Budd, and received a C
for my weak effort.
Dad explained aspects of
the story:
plot
theme
antagonist
protagonist
and tragic character flaws.
I didn’t get a C again on
anything to do with
literature.
I was still inept
with the numbers game.
Math didn’t hold my
Interest.
It dog-paddled, then drowned in
my budding poet brain.
I had a gorgeous Dutch
Girlfriend, Van Vleck or
Van something or other.
I acted in the play,
and started at small
forward on the
basketball team.
I even got into a
fight with a kid for
telling the principal that
he sold me a little weed.
I was suspended for a week,
but Dad didn’t seem to
mind that much.
He gave me a copy of
Don Quixote, and told
me to write an essay a day.
Back then, I was
prince of the private school.
I started to care about
learning.
The teachers taught with
zeal and zest.
The lust for literature was
born in me
beneath that smiling
West Coast sunshine, and
melancholy California fog.
-
Author:
Thomas W Case (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: March 1st, 2025 22:50
- Comment from author about the poem: Here's a link to my new book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Its-Just-Skip-Jump-Madhouse/dp/B0DY4XDQYC/ref= www.thomaswcase.com
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 16
- Users favorite of this poem: Poetic Licence, Teddy.15, Cheeky Missy
Offline)
Comments6
And that’s how the literati is created! 🙏🏻🕊️
Yes, thank you, my friend.
A wonderful write about life and the journey into the love of writing, really enjoyed
Thank you, my friend.
Thank you.
You are very welcome
The evolution and development of literary interest. A very open divulgence of poetic birth. Lovely
Yes, thanks.
This was great. Misadventures that ended up with a love for literature. Kind of like when my mom used to punish my foul mouth with Tabasco Sauce. I ended up loving heat! LOL! Well done, my friend! 🌹👏
Yes, thanks.
You are welcome, my friend!
Fate seems the strongest and most important thing in this poem 🌹
So very true sweet Teddy. Thank you.
Sounds like good old Californication. What a very beautiful rendition of that section of your life, rendered exquisite by the winsome fashion in which it's related, imagery beyond superb, and the none too subtle poignancy charming. Thank you so very much for sharing.
Thank you so much.
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.