Turnabout Fair Play (poem) by Charles B. Neff on AuthorsDen

Turnabout Fair Play
by Charles B. Neff → (All Poetry by Charles B. Neff)
Rated "G" by the Author.

Save

Parents help children, who learn, even when bewildement fights with resentment. Years pass, and who's doing the teaching, who the learning now? Life's roles are never permanent and their reversal can be humorous.
Turnabout Fair Play We tried to help them through uncertainties, Often having to make choices for them, So, later, they could make them on their own. There were times when “don’t” came out too often, When help meant constraint, and their eyes complained: “Will I ever live up to your expectations?” Years pass and they’ve now learned Their own truths about dos and don’ts. They look askance, then pityingly upon our efforts To deal with the complications of new styles, new devices. We shrug and grimace. But, inside, we’re thinking: “Will we ever live up to your expectations?” Charles B. Neff 9/1/1012

Reviewed by Christine Tsen

Reviewed on September 8, 2012

Yes, this is resonant and I can feel just this happening right now.
I enjoy this unexpected, richly perceptive leap!
Christine

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on September 4, 2012

Why do parents have such expectations and force them on their children? I think it's because of their own inadequacies. I don't have children, but if I did, I would let them play vigorously and learn what they are good at and want to do, and then encourage them in every way to do it. If they needed help, like math to get where they wanted to be, I wouldn't force them to take courses they hated or hire tutors for them. I'd tutor them myself, but not do everything for them like some parents are prone to do. Unfortunately, our intelligence plays a part in what we are able to do with our lives. We can't expect all of our children to be intelligent, only good at what they want to do and can do.

Ron