In their “immortal” youth
they decided upon one.
One child, who wouldn’t
intrude upon their plans
for exploration, travel, freedom.
The child was lonely and withdrawn.
She watched large families and
felt a hurt deep inside.
She entertained herself and existed in a shell
where she could hear the ocean roar
and talk to creatures of the sea.
She untimately relinquished the hope of siblings
and went about her way.
They traveled the world over
while she was away at college
still waking with empty perceptions.
Now, her life is full, with a loving husband,
children and grandchildren.
She is ready to fly away, accomplish things,
travel, explore.
Her mother calls and tells her,
“I am lonely.”
I need to see you.
Why are you going to be gone so long?
“I am lonely and blue.”
The mother is no longer free
and she attempts to seize the time
her daughter has left in this world.
The only child cries out in anger
because of the children
who were never conceived.
Oh Janet this is quite wonderful! I can SO understand this even though I'm not an only child. There were times in dealing with my Mom that I FELT like one though.....I love these lines especially:
"The mother is no longer free
and she attempts to seize the time
her daughter has left in this world."
It's hard to ignore the pleas and go ahead and live your own life but you must. You just simply MUST.
i am an only child and had two mothers but i'm happy just to be alive since my mother was told it was impossible to have children ... anyway, i empathize with the frustration expressed in this very moving and well written poem ...
Janet, this is such a painful theme. I've counseled some with similar circumstances who felt such neglect, that their lives are still messed up. It's hard to understand how we assume certain attitudes according to the way we are treated by our parents.But it's true and we have to spend a lifetime trying to correct it when it goes wrong. You crafted an excellent poem on the topic.
funny how the story changes. felt the loneliness, pain and anger. it makes me jump out of my skin a bit, having always said I'd never have a "one and only;" but life laughed in my face and so I make my way and pray my son can do the same. love that line "in a shell where she could hear..." which seems to have a poem of its own. stand strong in the middle or outside, Dawn
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on November 5, 2005
I was an only child until I was sixteen and it didn't bother me, it didn't bother me, it didn't bother me, it didn't bother me, it didn't bother . . .
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
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Regis
"The mother is no longer free
and she attempts to seize the time
her daughter has left in this world."
It's hard to ignore the pleas and go ahead and live your own life but you must. You just simply MUST.
Take care
felix
Love,
Eileen