The Day I Went To Uni

The most important day of my whole life, Was the day I went to Uni, bold and stark, ‘Cos it said to my parents that my mind’s state, Was with the academics and society’s quark. They called me as a child insane and *****, For wanting my brother’s toys, books and pencils; They also actually called me mentally ill, For not wanting girly clothes which did frill. I had my nose in the encyclopaedias and dictionaries, And they just couldn’t figure why or understand, And wouldn’t leave me to browse and scan: Wouldn’t in love care and just let me have my stand. Society was for sinners, every day they pointed out, But I felt that it was the fundamentalist Christians, Who were cold, uncaring, and without clout; Ready to explode in anger at any societal person. But they knew who I was on that day going to Uni, On the journey to Glasgow in the Grenada car, And so when I was subjective, contemplative and still, My dad rudely V’d me with his fingers in a spar. I think they thought I'd say nothing and carry on, But I waited a few seconds and then firmly replied, “What was that for?” and he retorted “What?” And that glint of something in me for them died. I gave a few murmurs, but succeeded in letting it go, Having quietly shed a tear about my childhood and early life, But I promised myself to tell the Hall wardens about the gesture, Who also made me swear to tell them of any future strife. And then in my second year, when my dad became, The conductor of Billy Graham’s choir, When I made the wardens aware of my pain, They took me to the cinema and loved me plain. It makes it so much better, other people’s concern, Just that bit of interest that you've never had to earn; Talking about one’s problems puts colour in your cheeks, And life will be to you that whatever one truly seeks.