Expectations

Burden of Atlas we shove on our children

dreams of grandeur we seed in their head

Fertilizing, too much manure killed one

Over watering, wilted their dream now dead

You can't make an orange tree into a pear

A hammer is not a saw

table never a chair

a flamingo is not a macaw

Orpheus was not meant for war

Hawking no captain of a football team

Value instead what you are

not what society does esteem

Reviews

[Gee]

It is such a shame that it is only with age and experience we become settled in our own skin.
Coming from nowt I had no expectations or burdens placed on me by others, all I had was a wish to have more than I had been raised with and then for my daughter to have an easy a life as is possible. Luckily this has panned out well :)
Enjoyed reading you Soren

[Soren]

Thank you so much for the read and comment it is deeply valued

[redzone]

I think the best thing we can give our children besides our love, is hope, imagination, and the space to be curious, and to discover, not just who they are but, how wonderful the world could be. Thanks for sharing your poem Soren.

Curt

[Soren]

Thank you so much for the review and understanding words they are deeply valued

[Twilight]

Value self-esteem, rather than the concepts of prestige which modern societies promote..? The classical references to Atlas and Orpheus, also added a nice touch. Excessive use of watering and manure, reminded me that modern agriculture sometimes goes too far; with unforeseen consequences further down the line.? Thankyou, for sharing.

[Soren]

Thanks so much for the read and interpretations they are most appreciated

[jacob erin-cilberto]

The worst thing for children is to have to succeed in something their parents did not...
Pressure to be something they are not.
We need to let our children be who they are.
My parents and I were so different, and it took years before I could stop living to please them.
Once I did that I began to be me and finally earn their respect.
Oh, I am so linked to this poem. I find that with most of your work. Identity.

[Soren]

Your kind words mean a great deal Jacob and are most deeply appreciated

[John the Baptist]

To hope is one thing, and a fine one at that. To expect can lead to fulfillment, but if couched in arrogance, can lead to disaster. Expect, but stay alert.

[Soren]

Thanks so much John I appreciate the read and comment.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I like this so much because it points out a belief of my own. It's not our job, as parents, to force our expectations on our children but to learn who our children are and to encourage them in every noble and helpful pursuit. Mostly they need our honesty, trust and kindness. A good tree will not produce rotten fruit and the fruit never falls far from it. My oldest is forty and my youngest, nine, both daughters are special to me and loved equally. And it's wonderful to hear, "You're the best dad ever." from your three year old. It's another thing entirely to hear, "You're the best dad, ever" from your grown daughter over the phone from five thousand miles away. Then she puts the grandchildren on so they can talk to Pap Pap. That's the reward of a job well done. I enjoyed the read. F.

[Soren]

Thank you Fabian I have seen too many parents try to live their unfulfilled childhood and dreams through their children others try to make their children into minatures of themselves, it seldom works.Thanks for the kind words

[berenongur]

Everyone really needs to read this a few times. The dose is what separates the medicine from the poison. More value should be given to the fact that everyone has different meanings. This is truly one of your best works. I will read it a few more times. If I had the chance, I would put this in the textbooks.

[Soren]

Thank you so much for the read and comment it is deeply valued and cherrished

[carl]

one of the many injustices we place on our children, trying to live the life we did or the life we wanted and missed vicariously through them, often with the repercussion that they feel like failures if they don't accomplish parental esteem, thus failing to make mom or pop happy/proud. Wanting "their" best is the best we can do for them. Hoping and helping them find their contentment in their life should be our goal. Well written I especially enjoyed and went and refreshed my info on Orpheus and "value what you are." -carl

[Soren]

Thanks so much Carl for the read and understanding interpretation. Your visits are most valued.

[Marie]

This is a poem which hits right at the reader's heart like an arrow from a bow, Soren. You have captured eloquently the many unnecessary weights we place on our children's shoulders which kill their natural desire to achieve their dreams. Each child has his/own talent and one cannot make a silk purse from a pig's ear, a very old saying. You have captured this indepthly in your second and third verses and I absolutely love your advice at the end of the poem to value the person e are and not what so called society esteems. These two lines bring the whole poem together so beautifully! Wonderful use of visual detail, excellent advice, superb inking! It would be wonderful if each set of parents were presented with this poem as a gift at the place of birth of their first child. It would definitely change life for the better for a lot of children to grow up without unnecessary pressures on their shoulders trying to make their parent's dreams come true instead of their own. Student mental breakdowns would decrease rapidly too. Totally love this amazing poem. Wish my lovely parents had a copy of it, dear Soren! Thank you for sharing, dear friend... Please forgive me for being so late commenting. I have been out all day and am not long in, dear Soren...

[Soren]

Marie your comments are always appreciated and valued and I have no time pressure so no appology needed. With children of my own and working with parents and children all my life I have seen too many try to live their dreams through their children. It never works out well. Thank you again for your support.

[Marie]

Yes, you are so right, it never works out well, dear Soren and you captured that so very finely in your amazing poem. Always most welcome, dear friend...