Where have all the flowers gone?
Memories and people I loved in my youth.
Contemplating week, Clever students arrogant and competitive, Forcefully strutting, Contemptuous of those perceived as lesser mortals in fee driven institutions.
Possibly being totally unreasonable, Live in world of past achievements, Relaxed with nothing to prove, Time to satisfy endless curiosity, Time to read my books and explore love of history and literature, Science and analytics Programming and AI.
Self absorbed, Comfortable companions, Researchers sharing knowledge and polite but witty anecdotes as my father did before me.
Love enjoying coffee in comfort and warmth, Then opening door to confront gale force winds pelting rain and occasional tree-fall, Such was my silly week, Door closed!
My Student Days.
Universities fully funded, No tuition fees in Australian universities, Proper nerd properly introverted, Enjoyed study.
Realised looking back socially inept and rarely partied, Even now still awkward.
Never been in pub before graduation, Hated smell of student haunts, Urine and stale beer.
Realise looking back Never prepared for handling modern competitive students, Judgement suspended, Happily returning to being disconnected nerd.
My Family.
Professional family, Middle class in English tradition, Educated and encouraged or should say expected to be just like them, Unknowingly suffered from issues with many acronyms.
Lived my life, Eyes blinkered, Everything perfectly normal and ordered, University student life confronting to happy comfortable thoughts.
Shut things away, Study loads didn’t affect me just seemed normal, Didn’t compete, Didn’t need too, Grades more than adequate, Parents happy, Dad bought books I happily read, Often we talked history and philosophy.
Reflections.
Looking back on horrible week, Realised that shouldn’t be judgemental, Times had changed My perceptions hadn’t, Just accept, Hit reset button, Smile and nod.
But do remember student girlfriend, Nerd like me, Similar backgrounds She was beautiful genteel in manner, Her parents knew my parents, Two peas in a pod, Sentimental memory, Looking back half century before her death.
Best have more coffee.
Blessed be.
