My grandfather used to say to us kids “if you can’t say something nice don’t say it at all “ amongst lots of other sayings that were instilled also by my parents other sayings
We grew up to respect elders especially since we lived with an ill grandfather with parents
Loved your haiku
Posted 2 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
2 Years Ago
Thank you dear Julie. Your grandfather was a wise man. I appreciate you.
I liked the wisdom in these words dear Chris. many like to toss stones, they don't when you return bigger stones. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote
Posted 2 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
2 Years Ago
How true your response Coyote. Many thanks dear friend. I appreciate you.
My sweet departed mother used to say, "Always sweep off your own doorstep before offering to clean someone else's house." It was a parable along the lines of what Jesus said about removing the beam from your own eye so you could see clearly to help remove the speck from your brother's eye. My mother was a splendid example of what a good Christian should be; without pretense or pride, full of love, devotion and responsibility. I never heard a word of gossip pass her lips in all my life. Someone said to her once, "What will the neighbors say?" in reference to her watering her flowers in her housecoat as she was sometimes wont to do. And mother replied, "Well, if they're talking about me, maybe they're leaving some other poor soul alone." She was a profound and astounding woman with only an eighth grade education. She had to quit school at a young age to care for her younger siblings after her father was killed and her mother had to go to work in a mill. She is and always will be the single greatest influence in my life,
The story of your dear Mother reminds me very much of Albert my Grandfather who won a scholarship to.. read moreThe story of your dear Mother reminds me very much of Albert my Grandfather who won a scholarship to a Blue Coat school, but couldn't go because his mother couldn't afford to buy him shoes. He was the one who introduced me to poetry which has been a comfort and a gift to me for many years. Thank you Fabian for sharing your mother with us. You honour her with your tribute, to the influence she has had on your life. I really appreciate your lovely response to my senryu.
Chris
2 Years Ago
I'm touched by your response. Yes, my mom was the one who introduced me to poetry. I've a picture of.. read moreI'm touched by your response. Yes, my mom was the one who introduced me to poetry. I've a picture of her framed with Rudyard Kipling's "IF", one of the poems she read to me as a child.
2 Years Ago
How wonderful. If was also one of the poems my Grandfather recited to me, along with Tennyson's Lady.. read moreHow wonderful. If was also one of the poems my Grandfather recited to me, along with Tennyson's Lady of Shallot. I can still recite passages of the latter today. Learned off by heart.
This is like reading the synopsis of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I immediately got the visual of a torch-carrying crowd of angry villagers with pitchforks and prayers, surrounding the home of the Baron.
W.
Posted 2 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
2 Years Ago
Well you certainly got some powerful imagery from my senryu W. Thank you so much for your visit and.. read moreWell you certainly got some powerful imagery from my senryu W. Thank you so much for your visit and for sharing your thoughts.
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..