Military Schooling
Son of aristocracy, 1922
Flinty Mayflower stock
Brittle china lay at table
Burnished tea set
He was cocooned and at age 12
sent away to military school
The train’s scenery, a blur
from his first-class berth
The boys, also Sons of Sons,
were bigger, rougher than he,
raised as he was with two austere sisters
and a chalky-pale nanny
His first evening, knees scraping
the bathroom floor, drenched in sweat,
tongue rancid with the barnacles
that clung to the older boys’ yachts
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For the Sunday Whirl: Blur, Cocoon, Tongue, Scrape, Burnished, Brittle, Austere, Flinty, Drenched, Rough, Barnacles, Chalk. These words formed themselves into the best account I can figure of the “schooling” of delicate boys in the old days of private, all-male schools. Always a “new fish,” just like prison.
Also at Poets United’s Poetry Pantry, which welcomes poems of all types.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Polly Robinson
So sad for this innocence lost – written so clearly / obliquely it’s wonderful
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Polly. Hard for a fragile young man, that atmosphere… Amy
Debbie
You did a great job imagining and taking us there, Amy! Bravo!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Debbie. Not an easy trip, right? Love, Amy
seingraham
Oh yes, this resonates with authenticity – so many sons of sons have this as their fate – then we wonder why so many end up just a tad warped …
Thanks for stopping by the “shrink-wrapped” site; I knew if anyone would get that poem, it would be you …
The wordle that goes with these words is here:
http://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.ca/2012/05/reminiscing-before-selling-family-home.html
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Sharon. It is a real story, truth be told… and the abused usually become abusers… Thanks also for the Wordle. I might give it a try! I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE ME LINKS! Just sayin’ is all… (wink) Amy
ladynimue
I just thot the same of abused and abuser .. such a sad image we create again and again ..
wordsandthoughtspjs
I believe this might just be an accurate account, Amelita. Strong write.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, Pamelita, es la verdad, absolutamente. El nino es mi padre. Que lastima… Amelita
Traci B
Keelhauled? Now that’s a hazing I’d hate to see happen to anyone.
A strong and visceral poem, Amy. Well wordled.
Sharp Little Pencil
A different type of keelhaul… sexually abused. Perhaps I was too oblique, but I got into the maritime references at that moment… thanks, Traci. Peace, Amy
Old Ollie
so true…not the best tactic to deal with boys…new fish indeed
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, brother. Glad that crap isn’t so routine anymore, although the GWBs of the world are still “legacy” led into the Ivy Leagues and the Skull and Bones… Amy
Sara V
Quite a potent poem there Amy–My tongue is tasting salt…s
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Sara, it’s more than salt, God help him… thanks for stopping by and commenting… finally made it back to your site and left comments there as well. Peace, Amy
Kerry O'Connor
This is a very painful subject but you have done a hell of a job saying what must be said in the cleverest of poetic terms – never crass, but the meaning clear nonetheless. Just an excellent piece of writing.
Sharp Little Pencil
Kerry, I truly appreciate your sharing this with me. I write about sexual abuse, mental illness, and LGBT Ally issues a lot, and I try to take the best care possible to not be vulgar. Your comment shows I’m on the right track. Now to see your blog… Peace, Amy
brian miller
always new fish in the prison…that is a tight analogy in your end line…ugh i hate to even imagine…though nice illusions in the barnacles…ugh…
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Brian. Difficult subject matter, and then the whole ship thing came at me, literally dashed against the rocks in my field of vision. My mind works that way. They are not hallucinations, but visions I allow to manifest. Yeah, way weird, I know! And thank you for understanding. This was actually about my father, and it explains a lot… Peace, Amy
brian miller
thanks for adding your personal context as well in the comments….ugh…i am sorry, its a bit heart breaking…
Mr. Walker
Amy, harrowing and powerful. What we have done to boys to turn them into men. I love that first stanza, and what you did with flinty, brittle, and burnished. And how you used cocooned – scary. And pairing barnacles with yachts – great contrast.
Richard
Sharp Little Pencil
I wasn’t even sure what I was going to do, with “barnacles” in the mix. Didn’t want to create a literal seaside poem, and I know nothing of boats anyway. So I “went there” again, to where it most likely started… for my father, who in turn molested me. Peace, Amy
kimnelsonwrites
Broke my heart, this. Not all are equipped for places such as this; but at places such as this that doesn’t matter.
Sharp Little Pencil
Kim, it hurt to write it, too. I don’t understand the rich and how they ship their kids off… even when she was home, Patti Davis (Reagan) told me she had to eat in the kitchen with the staff while Ronnie and Nancy enjoyed their private dining room. Amy
margo roby
Hello fearless leader! I hadn’t replied to your last email yet, when I saw your post that we won the WordPress battle. I feel I might lavish a little love on them, Thursday. I’m rather proud of them for backing down. Can you see Facebook doing that?
An interesting direction the words took you, but that is the beauty of wordles in a group.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, Margo, yes, the power of positive DOING. Thinking only gets one so far! Victory is a dish best served with a huge dollop of hot fudge on top…
This was difficult to write, and I believe it’s a true story, how my father turned from a sweet young boy into an adult molester of his own daughter… no wonder he wanted sons… Amy
julespaige
What is it with the joy of hazing? At the time one of my sons was to go to a quasi-military type summer camp – his choice…he was not 100% physically fit and I would not let him go through their, though not exactly harmful but still somewhat scary little games. I think in the following year when he was in step beyond ‘newbie’ that and was asked to participate in the ‘welcoming of the next group of ‘newbies’ he was perhaps kinder. At least I hope so. Powerful verse my friend. And speaks volumes.
Thanks for your visit to my blogspot wordle 58 and your support.
Sharp Little Pencil
Jules, thanks for YOUR support, purchasing the VERY last copy of the second run of my chapbook. Putting it to rest for now, and working on a new one…
This wordle was indeed a challenge, especially the barnacles, but they ended up being a pivotal part of the analogy… thanks so much, Amy
Carrie Burtt
You certainly have captured that world amazingly Amy. Hope you had a great Memorial Day. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Carrie, it’s June 8 and I’m just replying… got waylaid and opted to keep posting instead of reviewing comments with the limited time I had. Working on articles f or a website – employed, yeah!! Thanks so much for your comments… Amy
Laurie Kolp
Wow… this is heart-wrenching, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Laurie, I know you can appreciate how hard this was to write. I believe this is how my father got twisted… Thanks, Amy
Walt Wojtanik
Amy! Wow. An incredibly rivetting account of what I can only perceive as an accurate depiction of the event. Yes, always a new fish. You either fight back or become plankton. Tremendous poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for this, Walt. Yes, I do believe this was the start of my dad’s sickness, being the pretty boy at an all-boys’ school. Sort of makes sense, and a difficult write indeed. Peace, Amy
kaykuala
I can relate to this Amy. I was in a military school from age 15 for 5 years. It was a culture shock initially for a few months but was fun for many years after that.
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m glad you had a better time than this poor boy, who incidentally is modeled on my father. The molestation he suffered there undoubtedly snapped him into molesting us… not knocking military schools in general, and glad you had a good time there! Amy
Tumblewords
Incredibly fine! I’ve never been there but now I feel as if I had been.
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, God, I hope not! This was the beginning of how my dad snapped and became an abuser… but thanks for your comments. Peace, Amy
Lindy Lee
We still need another button than “Like” to click. This poem is liked but not for its subject matter, if you get my meaning; heavy duty subjects need a heavy duty kinda button to click…
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, I feel like developing an “appreciation” button, or something like that… it’s hard to press “like” for the dark tales, I know… I can relate! Amy
Mary
This really rings true, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Mary – yes, sad, but true indeed. Thanks, and peace, Amy
El Guapo
And again, I’m blown away by the story by the verse and hte story you’ve wrapped within it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Guapo, thanks so much. A lot of thought went into writing this, because my dad (who abused me) went to military school (and he WAS from a Mayflower family), and I believe this is where he was victimized himself. Amy
brenda w
Amy, I always love your pieces with a political slant. This is a strong write. We use our children in this world.
Sharp Little Pencil
Bren, I can see the political angle here, although the “barnacles” were obviously something more sinister… children are victims and then grow up to be abusers… like my dad. Amy
lolasanrose
dealing with the difficult and painful subject, and doing a jam up, over the top fabulous poetry.
good job, very very good job.
Sharp Little Pencil
Dear Lola, thank you for stopping by and commenting with such positive comments! Yes, the subject matter is gruesome, but somehow, gruesome is one of the rooms in my mental house. Story of an abused boy who became an abusing father… mine. I’ll be over to see you. Amy
Karen Glenn
Great closing image
Sharp Little Pencil
Karen, I’m glad it was clear for you. Wasn’t sure if I went over the top on the water references, but obviously this hazing was sexual… I appreciate your stopping by and offering comments – I’ll come see you, too! Peace, Amy
claudia
oh my..how can a 12 year old deal with this..how can anyone…made me so sad and angry…very well written amy
Sharp Little Pencil
Claudia, one quality I love of yours is the distinct ability to take a poem and FEEL it, right in your gut. That’s really something. I thank you so much for sticking with my blog! Peace, Amy
AudreyHowitt
So well done–difficult subject and so clear in its portrayal
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Audrey. I write a lot about difficult subjects, which is why I post “not for the faint of heart” next to my name on the banner. I’ll be by to see you soon. Peace, Amy
markwindham
Well done with the wordle and story.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Mark. The word that threw me was “barnacle,” but once the subject was there, I felt the word fit in well as a metaphor in childhood rape. And the abused did indeed become the abuser, unfortunately… Peace, Amy
cloudfactor5
I was actually shipped off to Miami Military Academy when I was 13, beautiful location right on Biscayne Bay, except for the really bad food (green powdered eggs) I would do it all over again without hesitation ! Still working on my memoir!
Sharp Little Pencil
Did the green powdered eggs come with ham? (Sorry, I can’t help it; I love Dr. Seuss!) I’m so glad you and other readers had good experiences at military school. This hazing of my father led to him snapping somewhere deep inside and was probably the reason he sexually abused me… but like I said, most people do great, and I’m glad you were one of them. Thx for stopping, I’ll come over and see what you’re up to! Amy
tigerbrite
This is so well described, how tragic that the abused turn into abusers, I am so sorry.
It must help to talk about it. A secret locked up is equally sad.
http://planetcyberluz.com/2012/06/02/box-of-secrets/
Well you did ask for links 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Your always recognize the significance of my poems, Tiger, and I deeply appreciate that. THANKS for leaving the link, and I’ll be over ASAP! Amy
Daydreamertoo
Having been in the army. All too sadly, I know this happens. This is hard hitting in its truth Amy. Sad.
charlesmashburn
Powerful write. Sad, but very vivid and real.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Charles. This was a difficult write, and for a wordle of all things. “Barnacle” ended up having more significance than I could imagine… peace, Amy