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Karen C Vanderlaan

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Member Since: May, 2006

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When I Grow Up
by Karen C Vanderlaan → (All Poetry by Karen C Vanderlaan)
   Rated "G" by the Author.
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Poem Artwork


What do you want to be


When you grow up?


 


A hundred times over the question was posed:


Batman, Superman, super-heroes saving the world


Tarzan, wild and free, swinging from tree to tree


A wild west Indian or jousting knight


 


In time, I became more realistic


A cop or farmer like my folks


A nurse to cure grandma; a vet to heal my beloved pets;


An Olympic equestrian at one with my horse


 


Somehow, somewhere, folks have failed to ask


A much more pertinent question to the youth of our world:


Who do you want to be, when you are grown?


How will the measure of you stand up?


 


The WHO is so entrenched within the what


The desire to make a difference wrapped up in all the fantasies


That the superhero within us all


Often lays sadly forgotten on the edges of one’s life path


 



 



 


 


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 Reviews of "When I Grow Up"
Reviewed by Mary Patterson
Reviewed on July 11, 2007
Words of wisdom flow from your pen.. A good thinking write!.......M

Reviewed by Regis Auffray
Reviewed on May 22, 2007
A most engaging poem, Karen. Your expressive sentiments draw the reader in. Thank you. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Reviewed by Art Hernandez
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
An interesting piece Karen...you expose the very fact of which many glance by and forget....the WHO is so much more than the What....we can be what we want to be but Who we become or Who we are is a more of a realistic thought, for as you have stated...the superhero is sadly left, at times, on the edge wondering when he will appear...

nice work on this thought...

enjoyed your work on this piece...


.....Art Sun.....

Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
I'd like to take a day off from being Superman.... Keep my identity secret...

Reviewed by Joyce Bowling
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
Enjoyed this much, the write, the picture, what a great package! The pic is too cute! Love the ending lines, inspiring!
Blessings,
Joyce B.

Reviewed by Laura Mayer (Reader)
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
Beautiful pic Karen! Thought-provoking write, well done.
Hugs, Laura

Reviewed by Elizabeth Taylor (Reader)
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
OMG what a delightful picture, and I love the poem.

Elizabeth

Reviewed by Felix Perry
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
Beautiful write and a darling picture...love it.

Fee

Reviewed by Kate Burnside
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
Ah yes... the subtle distinction of the WHO rather than the WHAT... This is a very personally endorsing and grounding consideration, Karen, and we do well to ponder it, both for ourselves and to instill it's importance into our children. It is, of course, so important that we are true to self, that we know who we are first and foremost. Too many of us have had stereotypes and boxes forced upon us by others' expectations, perhaps. Thank you for this reminder. Kate xx

Reviewed by Phyllis Jean Green
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
L o v e. i t ! <3! What a picture!! What a picture you have painted!!
So affecting, so t r u e to life. T h a n k. y o u, Karen, my
friend, t h a n k. y o u. xo ily xo! 'Pea'

Reviewed by Chantilly Lace (Reader)
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
Excellent writing, I adore the picture...Hugss

Reviewed by Mr. Ed
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
Somehow, somewhere, folks have failed to ask
A much more pertinent question to the youth of our world:
Who do you want to be, when you are grown?
How will the measure of you stand up?

Quite profound, Karen.


Reviewed by Paul Berube
Reviewed on May 21, 2007
Karen,

Anyone can be a super hero but it really takes someone special to be oneself. Peace and Blessings to You Always, Paul.

Reviewed by Sage Sweetwater
Reviewed on May 20, 2007
Truly a very inspiring poem...the pic says it all, Karen...I admire your thoughts here...the misguided youth of today need strong role models such as yourself...the teacher in you wrote this poem today...be well, Karen...Blessed Be.

Sage

Reviewed by E T Waldron
Reviewed on May 20, 2007
What a beautiful picture to go with this excellent poem! The question is one that's rarely answered in truth. Love the pony!;-)

Love,
Eileen

Reviewed by George Carroll
Reviewed on May 20, 2007
Great question.


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