Empty Nest

I do not have an empty nest yet, but this is how I envision it.

Another day gone, another laid to rest

A moment of solace, and you ask yourself, “What’s next?”

You look around, waiting for tiny steps

The lackluster silence is unbroken, “What’s next?”

Days became years in a sudden flash

No teenage boys to take out the trash

No little ones, no big ones, and none in between

Moving forward with life, but what does that mean?

You’re all alone, you’re on your own

They are all gone, they have separate homes

No one said loving them would be this hard

Just for a second, you let down your guard

Then they  are gone and you hope you’ve done well

Raised them to be strong, and hope you didn’t fail

Blessings are like that, they come and they go

There are so many things you wish you could know

Were they happy, are they happy, will be be just fine?

Is calling them 10 times a day over the line?

Where are those kids that you gave your heart to?

Why did they leave, don’t they still need you?

Where are those tiny fingerprints left on the glass?

How did so much time come to pass?

You’re all alone, they’ve moved on...

But you will forever still be their mom...

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Very nice use of words and thoughts. Had the feel of a Leonard Cohen sing.
"Where are those tiny fingerprints left on the glass?
How did so much time come to pass?"
Fingerprint upon memory and skin. Never forgotten. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Colene Pefley]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you like it!

[Coyote Poetry]

I did and you are welcome.

[Pete]

You must love your kids very much if you're already thinking about this. Sad, but something many of us go through. Very real thoughts here. Touching.

[Ashley Arita]

I really like the questioning in this poem. It really gets you thinking! Really enjoyed it.

[Colene Pefley]

Thank you! :)

[Ashley Arita]

Your welcome!

[Nadia_2]

Wow, this moved me! Beautifully written :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i can just imagine how unpeaceful that quiet can be...you miss the commotion of all the happy feet running through the nest...and the open mouths waiting to be fed....but they fly away too soon...and the straw has such an empty feel to it.

[ANTO]

Certainly this is sure to happen but it is a lull, a natural lull in proceedings. Not everyone has the luxury of the (peaceful??) years between the generations - waiting for their own offspring to produce offspring. They should be years spent doing things for YOU.
When the grand-mother years come along you'll regret not having done something with the intervening years.

[Colene Pefley]

Well I guess that will never happen because my oldest is 17, and my youngest is 3. I'm bound to have at least a grandchild or two before the last one leaves. :)

[ANTO]

Of course I am often wrong lol. ;P

[78Jon]

Awe, sweet poem. That's the mentality for a parent though. I've a different mentality for parents, and I just was inspired to write a poem. I view parenthood as a selfish act. They bring a life into the world out of selfishness. They want to me a mom, it''s all about them. Everything they do is selfishness, how good of a mother can THEY be.

[Colene Pefley]

That is a very interesting perception. However, I think that the minute my first child was born, I truly felt selfless. Nothing was about me anymore. In fact, I lost part of myself along the way, because all I can think about is providing for them, and making sure they become exceptional human beings. I love it, but theirs wants and needs surpass my own, and I'm often the last person I think about. I'm not saying that is true for all mothers, though. I've seen some people have children just to say they have children, and show off what a good parent they think they are. That is disgusting.

[Bohrium Guy]

With 5 kids how do you have the time to write such beautiful poetry? This is outstanding and awesome! Thanks for sharing this piece!

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Rob~