it happened when least expected
taken advantage of
at our most vulnerable moments
our furtherance at stake
things screwed us up
we didn’t know any better
young and reckless
saddled with stupidity
and inherited complications
some will survive
others succumb
and a few will thrive
your proclamations were lies
billowing constant torments to my psyche
you could have used a medical diagnosis
i needed medical intervention well into my adulthood
soothing came with age
the abatement of self-destruction
long in coming
self-worth returned
self-love administered
wholeness flourished
Looking at the world around me, I see a tremendous amount of beauty, but woven into the fabric of living is much that is distressing. The sadness and cruelty that falls upon the young ones, the vulnerable, and the innocent ones is heartbreaking, and worse some of us humans don’t even care that it happens. What is wrong with our world?
Children didn’t ask to be born. They are entitled to have parents who are loving, nurturing, kind, and not dysfunctional. Many days and nights, even doing the best that I could be as a parent, have left me with guilt-induced sadness. I know that I didn’t live up to what I thought should be great parenting; I made many mistakes.
As adults, we have a responsibility to provide the next generation hope their lives will bear fruit in a world that is notoriously treacherous to navigate to begin with. They deserve only the best. If all babies were born wanted, loved, and raised appropriately, future generations would thrive. Maybe. I hope.
Inspired by Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Nonsensical & Reena’s Exploration Challenge #259
their precious faces
and nonsensical babbles
sheer joy in their eyes
ah, the memories of those days
bring a smile to my face
the poopy diapers
siblings fighting
snot-filled noses
hours upon hours of crying
not so much
each year brought new challenges
as milestones were reached and lessons were learned
and just when my last nerve was plucked
growth occurred
i uttered a sigh of relief
they are grown now
having flown the coop
to fashion their lives as they see fit
it’s satisfying to know
i got two things right
Inspired by Sadje’s What do you see #78 and VJ’s Weekly Challenge – I’m bored
i’m bored!
my teddy bear fell in the toilet!
i’m hungry!
jeffy took my crayons!
i’m thirsty!
mama, my finger is stuck!
sandra poked me!
jeffy hit me!
mommy, the cat looked at me funny!
come darlings
lunch is ready
the kiddie table is set
maybe some wine and a cigarette will calm you two down?
**DISCLAIMER – I’ve never offered toddlers wine or cigarettes.
no one really even begins to tell you the truth
or maybe they are but
you just aren’t paying attention
it’s not all roses and sunshine
sustaining and nurturing life
it’s work, sweet but also filled with sorrow
that first look promises everything
truths unfolding eventually
moments can be filled with as much suckness as joy
because that’s life
a bouncing between two extremes
hopefully nestling more towards the middle
there’s sickness and whines
lots of snot and green squirts
a feeling of “will this ever end?”
at times rejoicing at the child’s laughter in new discovery
that first walk, mama and dada hearing their names
and a multitude of things in the positive column
decades of months of patience
doing right by baby, by family and maybe herself
holding it together, for one and all
then along comes the back talk of teenager angst
rebellion, screaming matches, threats of eviction
the tears in a mother’s hearts grow deeper
years of up and down emotions
tears of capitulations and smiles of jubilation
limits tested until just about snapping
then the agonies fade, sweet memories recalled
old pictures remind us of the evolution of the tiny beings
child-rearing becomes just something we all went through together
pages in their story book filled by their imagination
now independent and free from guidance
their journeys beginning to take shape
a look back brings bittersweet tears
but glancing forward forms a smile
a face filled with pride for these men i birthed
My
child is
feigning now.
A big faker;
an academy award performance.
The absence of tears running down her face
is a huge clue!
A little
actress.
FRAUD!
**This is for all the parents who have been here. 🙂 Those little stinkers! LOL
Inspired by “FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION” Challenge! PATIENCE!
Daughter – Are we done yet?
in a minute
But I want to go now!
in a minute
Son – Seriously, this is boring! Let’s go!
in a minute
Put the baby down, time to nap.
in a minute
Daughter – Mom, mom, look at me!!
in a minute
Son – We can’t take much more of this! Let’s leave!
in a minute
Baby – Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah (hungry)
in a minute
Artist – Voila’! Picture perfect family! Thank you for your patience.
Mom – I’m seriously going to fall apart!
in a minute
I am
but a single layer
in the foundation
of humanity.
Every good deed
and
humane act
strengthens it.
The hope,
my life
contributes wisdom
to the next generation.
life tasked me
with motherhood
my answer
an enthusiastic acceptance
to comply
my heart grew up
and bigger with him
my life turned upside down
lessons learned changed
my future self
such a man now
a decent one
not a little big boy
he’s leading the charge
on the rest of his life
his determination
replaces my worry
his success now leads him
the torch is passed
with relief and validation
so proud
I Write Her 