I had dreams
brave simple dreams
for my baby daughter.
I would sit for hours
and just watch her
play and chatter
with the flowers.
She prattled away
and bounced all day
as curiosity and candour
met vivacity and wonder.
While I was troubled
about whom she took after
my baby just bubbled
with joy and with laughter.
I dreamt of her growing
into a happy and caring soul
someone who dared to think
someone clear, wise and whole.
So when she turned three
I sent her to a nursery
and then enrolled her
in a school
with a “reputation”
to get an education.
Now I feel like a fool
caught in an aberration.
I'd showed her
how to care and share
the food we eat
and clothes we wear.
In first grade she was trained
once even caned
and made to believe
there's no need to grieve
for those who have less..
if they're poor
its their fault...
no need to be selfless.
In grade two
she learned to repeat
"you're sure to rue
if you don't compete
Its not enough
to do your best
you must somehow
come First
and defeat the rest."
By grade three
she was never free
her school bag kept bulging
she was always memorizing
the profound and the inane
I watched in pain
as my baby became
fearful and obedient
instead of growing
strong and resilient.
Now that she's in grade four
I wonder if she can take it anymore
Geography and physics
Science and arithmetics
She needs this knowledge no doubt
Its the pace I'm worried about
With so much facts, figures and rhetoric
it is mental acrobatics
her mind is pushed to the brink
she'll soon forget how to think.
Pounded with information
I'm afraid
they've killed her emotion,
her scruples
and values,
her penchant for fairness
along with
her lovely imagination.
And I now sit and watch
my little wild flower
become a table rose.
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