For You

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

[Marc Mccune]

I am here, in this place you describe so well.

Alone, in the middle. Alone as a son and a father.
Both drawing away, and having been drawn away from.

My father; me, a father and
My sons; me a son.

And do they see the writer's heart I wear on my writer's sleeve, my parents, my children. me, in the middle.

[- - - - - - - - - >] Likemeter(tm)

[Kira Stegman]

I really love this poem! I recently moved across the country, and I know that my parents are feeling the words of the piece exactly. They are happy and proud, but still wish they could hold on to me. I love the way you wrote it. My favorite part:

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

It's so sincere. The only criticism I have is the last stanza. I really like it, but I think the "For them, for us, For you" is a little too easy of an ending. I think it could have something a little more powerful to finish it off. Beautiful poem though, I love it!

[Ilene M.W. Lush]

we dont own. but we do claim as ours. sometimes forgetting to piss in the corners to mark our territory and instead piss all over those we should be caring for.

we must find some truth

true dat.

[Maria G.]

well written, I identify with this poem as a daughter and mother, especially as I have such an overbearing mother, I want nothing more more my daughter than freedom and individuality but still I'll miss her so much when she flees the nest..

[C Lee]

as a daughter, i understand this, i wanted nothing more than to leave; as a mother i understand this, i want nothing more than for them to stay. what a wonderful piece.

[Razvratire]

This piece is an amazing truth that many people still have to realize. Children are a great example; when they are young parents are there perfect heros but when they grow up and realize that their parents, like all humans, make mistakes, their opinions change because they know they have their own life not owned by anyone.

[Ned Lefferton]

Ah know whut ya mean 'er Charles. Our middle one, Waneka Jo is squirmier'n a goldfish in hot Crisco. At'n won;t sit still fer one minute. We had three younguns 'cause we love kids. We'da had more but mah wife Aquanetta had some women issues with our last one Shanonda.

Real nice writin'

Ned

[Latinadarkness27]

What a hard lesson in life to learn, some never understand what you have stated here so beautifully.

[Dawn Fox]

I really really like this one. This is exactly how a parent feel. You've done a great job capturing that moment and putting it into words. Good job. Keep up the good work.

-Dawn-

[Annie Van Doran]

This is such a thought provoking piece because ever so often we hear people claim others as if they are possessions. I think you've captured the essence of an idea so few can come to grasp. Lonliness truly is that underlying theme in life and no matter how tight you hold on you're always going to be alone in the end. So, we make the best of the time and people around us while we can. Sad, but it gets us by.

[Crystal]

I try everyday to remember that I am only trying to nurture the person inside into the best it can possibly be so that one day when they are free of me they will be a blessing to others. This is lovely and portrays such a simple truth. They are not possessions... they are a gift given for a time. It is only for us to lead them to happiness and truth. If someday they look back and say 'Being a kid was great!' Then I will feel accomplished.