Geneva Has Evolved

"Fragments and crumbs of life, all the little pieces" John Ruskin 1853 Having lived with our Mom in Sydney for six months Federal Police returned us to live with our father He had begun working as the art teacher at a small Christian school in Tasmania He and other staff members lived at the school. I was 8, my sister 6. Geneva was experimental then. Elementary students were taught together in one hall. Desks divided from next, talk was completely disallowed. An American curriculum called ACE was adhered to. As the art teacher's daughter, naturally I washed all the brushes. Three utterances compiled in class per day earned detention. Despite it being 1991, rulers whapped knuckles on occasion. Cherished butterfly catching buddy, best friend, Penny Fed apples from ample pile to fence wire necked horses Dawn saluting dairy sold milk for locals, chapel on site Peers lived a wall away, an idyllic community lifestyle Generally, three afternoons per week, my father took My sister on playground, shopping outings. I stayed home. Instructed not to go outside. Staff's children grassy antics gazed at through glass. I ate vitamin c tablets by the dozen, and scrapings of butter. A staff member bought all our groceries from a limited list. I sang for company. There was no radio or TV. My Dad and sister returned at nightfall. Chewing on sweets. Alone in the house, I imaged it was a cruising ocean vessel I sailed down the dim driveway, swamped by giant pines I took apples, a cow, a Bible, pencils for sketching horses Sailing on jaunty sun hugged foliage, I was captain 'Geneva Has Evolved' Constance La France All The Little Pieces Contest 25th August 2020