Learning to write

When did I learn to write?  I can’t recall, although I do remember learning to read and understand words.  At school there were basic books like “Janet and John”.  By the time I was six I was writing in pencil, on paper, with lower case and capital letters.

Words set down
pencil on paper
thoughts arranged

The stories I wrote at school were marked excellent.  I wrote letters to relations which always started with my address and the date.  A primary teacher commented that I expressed myself with confidence and imagination in both written and oral work.  My spelling was almost infallible and my writing very neat.  We left Christchurch and I wrote letters to school friends most of whom I would never see again.  These were done in pencil, on lined paper, with a rubber handy just in case.  My writing was joined up, no longer printing, and I was aware of the need for correct grammar. 

Graduation
pencil to ink
no room for mistakes

In Form Two we were asked to write a piece about our teacher.  The words I used were: “His initials are F.B. and from his talk of his prowess at tennis you might think they stand for Fabulous Backhand.”  This got me good marks, and approval from my classmates when I read it aloud.

Reading aloud
brought applause
appetite for acclaim