On You, Across The Table

We all want to believe our children will love us
Hold us, kiss us, stay with us,
and wrap their little hands around our fingers
Big eyes watch big people with big love

But they're a squirmy type
Run away, out of our arms
No matter how far we stretch

Exploring dust bunnies in corners
Carrying shoes to bury in the sand box
They all, will all, run away

And you see then,
Perhaps they are not yours.

Individuals behind those big eyes
And we, again, are left to watch
Like past loves left,
Mother, fathers, gone,
And a thousand friends,
drifted away

We own no one,
Our children owe nothing
And we will all realize how little we are
How alone we are

And in that we must find some happiness
We must find some truth
For them, for us,
For you

Reviews

[Nathan Strange]

Hey man, Charles, I've never read much of your stuff and I'm not gonna blow sunshine up your arse as you are the owner of the website. Let me tell you something pal, this is f*****g good mate. It sums up how I feel at the moment! I'm just sitting in front of my computer screen waiting for the computer to speak to me, waiting for reviews. I'm too tired to review at the moment, I can't think let alone read!
I have a beer in front of me sitting by the keyboard. My forehead is creased up, my eyes black, yet I sit here endlessly, waiting for inspiration to write something. I have this dying urge to want to produce just something, even if it's tedious, yet I know that I'm in no state of mind to write anything half decent.
I saw you were on line and thought, let me read something of Charles's for once. He is responsible for this site. Well man your words spoke to me, that last stanza;

Unable to maintain this moment
This connection
This intimacy
Required to record it
Such is the curse of a writer

[Dani California]

"We own no one,
Our children owe nothing
And we will all realize how little we are
How alone we are"

We own no one -- they leave us at will
Our children owe nothing -- indeed, they do not owe for what they did not ask for
How little we are, how alone we are -- yes, and no. We are little and it does appear that we are often alone. That our parents, siblings, children... all perish sooner or later.
So, indeed in that sense I believe we are alone for we can never rely on anyone being there
for certain from one moment to the next. Not even ourselves. However, we are not alone in the universal aspect of things. We are all one -- all connected to the same spirit -- therefore, we are never truly "alone".

I really enjoyed this piece. Very thought provoking and well written :)

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

This is the first thing I have read from you and I really like it... a true inspirational piece, yes me must allow our children to be themselves and enjoy those simple things and yet still give them some guidance as they grow but enough freedom to be who they are. Wonderfully written.

[BenightedWhispers]

Very realistic and great choice of words. I enjoyed it greatly.

[dorkfish]

such a sweet poem, rather sad, but i guess thats how things are when a child leaves or any loved one leaves, you did an amazing job at adding bits of humor into such a sad subject
"Exploring dust bunnies in corners
Carrying shoes to bury in the sand box"
was my favorite 2 lines.
great job

[Tara Jean Olson]

wow. how sad, yet good, but real.

[Celtic Cat]

Wow, Charlie, such a poignant piece...I can feel the emotions coming off the page on this one. Stings like a good jab of a knife....excellent writing. Since I feel utter sadness....you've definitely done a great job on this piece....the feelings come right off the screen. So good to read your writing....it's about time I did!

[chris' girlfriend]

i agree :)

[Valorie J. Shearer]

Being the mother of a 20 yr. old son, I know all too well this ending up alone, and empty arms! Love this! Take care~~~

[Destiny]

Indeed. This poem reminds me of my little brother. It's something to remember when I expect him to be completely obedient without hesitation. Or when I feel hurt when he doesn't come to me when he falls down. Everyone has there own life even if they're 4. Thanks for writing.
♥Destiny♥

[B. Lapinski]

sweetly done...