Our parents decided not to teach us Chinese. It was an era when they felt we would be better off if we didn't have that complication.
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As Parents To Our Parents
They never teach you this at school;
they'll try to teach you reading, writing, 'rithmetic
in their own instructed ways;
but now, if anyone suggested it, there'd be howls
about the impertinence, the interference,
the rights, the dangers of this and that -
but all the same, they never teach you:
how to get on with your parents.
Oh there are books and books and books
telling your parents how to look after you, but hey!
there are two parties here! Mom and Dad
can ask their own parents (sometimes - because they
were in the same situation as you are now and so,
reckon they can do a better job...) but
who can you, ask?
Philip Larkin told us memorably that
'they f*** you up, your Mum and Dad',
which may not be the case for all of us;
Hindus have their own stern answer to this question:
you chose them, in effect, as the result
of your behaviour in your previous life...so there,
work with that, kiddo, could be
the making of you...stop blaming it all on them!
So there you are, in this heated cauldron of love and hate, or
like sharp stones shaken in this bag called family
until the rough edges wear (each other) away and
those smooth round pebbles roll out to the world...
but perhaps a little help wouldn't hurt?
I was exactly four and a half when I told the truth about something,
since I didn't know any other way; and as my parents' voices
rose in argument about 'knowing what was best for me',
(I remember the moment now, so clear) I turned my back
on this so painful sound, faced the 'wireless' on the chest of drawers,
and decided there and then
that grown-ups made such a fuss when you told the truth
that it would be better not to - at least, until
they grew up a bit... and there, went half a lifetime
of prevarication, dodging the question, fantasy: never tell the truth
until you're sure they really, really want to hear it...
Then when I was eleven or thereabouts
(and again, I remember exactly where I was standing
at the time - the bottom of the stairs)
the solemn thought 'entered my head':
that in some way I knew but couldn't quite explain,
I was in the position, had some duty,
to take care, in some thoughtful way, of the minds of those
my parents...
But they didn't teach that at my school.
love, I knew all about; but
parents? Aren't they strange? They try so hard, too...
and no, I don 't need 'counselling', thanks -
I'd rather keep it in the family. All I'm asking
is, a few lessons, maybe? I'd even do
the homework.
XXX love you both XXX
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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We as parents to our parents
They never teach you this at school;
they'll try to teach you reading, writing, 'rithmetic
in their own instructed ways;
but now, if anyone suggested it, there'd be howls
about the impertinence, the interference,
the rights, the dangers of this and that -
but all the same, they never teach you:
how to get on with your parents.
Oh there are books and books and books
telling your parents how to look after you, but hey!
there are two parties here! Mom and Dad
can ask their own parents (sometimes - because they
were in the same situation as you are now and so,
reckon they can do a better job...) but
who can you, ask?
Philip Larkin told us memorably that
'they f*** you up, your Mum and Dad',
which may not be the case for all of us;
Hindus have their own stern answer to this question:
you chose them, in effect, as the result
of your behaviour in your previous life...so there,
work with that, kiddo, could be
the making of you...stop blaming it all on them!
So there you are, in this heated cauldron of love and hate, or
like sharp stones shaken in this bag called family
until the rough edges wear (each other) away and
those smooth round pebbles roll out to the world...
but perhaps a little help wouldn't hurt?
I was exactly four and a half when I told the truth about something,
since I didn't know any other way; and as my parents' voices
rose in argument about 'knowing what was best for me',
(I remember the moment now, so clear) I turned my back
on this so painful sound, faced the 'wireless' on the chest of drawers,
and decided there and then
that grown-ups made such a fuss when you told the truth
that it would be better not to - at least, until
they grew up a bit... and there, went half a lifetime
of prevarication, dodging the question, fantasy: never tell the truth
until you're sure they really, really want to hear it...
Then when I was eleven or thereabouts
(and again, I remember exactly where I was standing
at the time - the bottom of the stairs)
the solemn thought 'entered my head':
that in some way I knew but couldn't quite explain,
I was in the position, had some duty,
to take care, in some thoughtful way, of the minds of those
my parents...
But they didn't teach that at my school.
love, I knew all about; but
parents? Aren't they strange? They try so hard, too...
and no, I don 't need 'counselling', thanks -
I'd rather keep it in the family. All I'm asking
is, a few lessons, maybe? I'd even do
the homework.
XXX love you both XXX
[revisited]
poem by Michael Shepherd
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Didnt Know
Didn't know what you had
Until you lost it
Didn't know what you own
Until you got it
Didn't know of your sins
Until you fought it.
Didn't know what you needed
Until you sought it.
Didn't know your lies
Until someone spoke them
Didn't know of the truth
Until someone wrote them
Didn't remembered your dreams
Until someone awoke them
Didn't know they died
Until someone chocked them.
Didn't know you had guilt
Until you cried
Didn't know you felt sadness
Until you tried to hide
Didn't know you felt shame
Until you lied
Didn't know you believed in GOD
Until you asked him why.
Didn't know you felt sorrow
Until you shed a tear
Didn't know that you were scared
Until I saw your fear
Didn't know that you hated
Until you were near
Didn't know that you were unhappy
Until you looked in a mirror.
Didn't know who you truly were
Until your ways you sewed
Didn't know that you were evil
Until the truth was showed
Didn't know you did this before
Until I saw all of your woe
Didn't know who you really were
Though I wished then I did know.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
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German
being the German kid in the 20's in Los Angeles
was difficult.
there was much anti-German feeling then,
a carry-over from World War 1.
gangs of kids chased me through the neighborhood
yelling, 'Hieneie! Hieneie! Hienie!'
they never caught me.
I was like a cat.
I knew all the paths through brush and alleys.
I scaled 6-foot back fences in a flash and was off through
backyards and around blocks
and onto garage roofs and other hiding places.
then too, they didn't really want to catch me.
they were afraid I might bayonet them
or gouge out their eyes.
this went on for about 18 months
then all of a sudden it seemed to stop.
I was more or less accepted(but never really)
which was all right with me.
those sons-of-bitches were Americans,
they and their parents had been born here.
they had names like Jones and Sullivan and
Baker.
they were pale and often fat with runny
noses and big belt buckles.
I decided never to become an American.
my hero was Baron Manfred von Richthofen
the German air ace;
he'd shot down 80 of their best
and there was nothing they could do about
that now.
their parents didn't like my parents
(I didn't either) and
I decided when I got big I'd go live in some place
like Iceland,
never open my door to anybody and live on my
luck, live with a beautiful wife and a bunch of wild
animals:
which is, more or less, what
happened
poem by Charles Bukowski
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There was a bit of a readjustment period because I didn't know what it was going to be like. I didn't know what was happening, how it was going to be, how it was all going to feel. As time went on it was great. Everything felt good so we decided to go with it.
quote by Dave Lombardo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Simplify Life
Why do I have such admiration for complication
And seldom see advantages of simplicity?
Is it the overall fault of divine creation?
Or is there something intrinsically wrong with only me?
I've spent my life stressing and working my heart out.
Now I'm not sure I know what it was all about.
My dedication to complication brought many a reward.
I can buy whatever, but now it's the time I can't afford.
Without further hesitation this complication I must destroy.
Or I'll never have a simple, happy life that few ever enjoy!
poem by Gregory Huyette
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But now all of a sudden some idiots in Taiwan start to say that they are not Chinese. Their grand parents were Chinese. But for some reason, they feel they are not Chinese.
Why Didn't You Warn Me?
Sometimes the best lesson to learn,
Is the one that is self taught.
With a discovery that has been enhanced.
Since the effect of it has a permanent existence.
And is better than anything tried,
By another who attempts to teach...
But thought to be unqualified.
'Why didn't you warn me? '
~Let's see...
After standing on my head.
And banging it up against the wall,
To get your attention...
I decided I had enough of it.
How many times did you expect,
For me to waste my breath? ~
'I didn't think you would allow me,
To make a fool of myself like I did.'
~And...
You learned nothing from that lesson? ~
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Minority Mayority
I am me
I didn't choose my parents
I didn't choose my root
I didn't choose my origin
But I decided to live
I am different
And you are too
Nobody's same in the world
So don't make it a matter to leave me
Because I'm happy to be me
You hate me
Because you don't know me
You are scared with me
Because you don't want to be stranger
But I know and want what I believe
I can laugh, I can cry too
I have a dream, I have an anger too
Why are you judging me
and telling me that I'm wrong creature?
Don't make a reason in the name of God
Or any other reason you thought to be right
Open your mind, open your heart
And we don't have to fight
You don't have to kill anybody
Let's break the system!
poem by Maria Sudibyo
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I decided blacks should not have to experience the difficulties I had faced, so I decided to open a flying school and teach other black women to fly.
quote by Bessie Coleman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Understand. I Will Give You A Call Later
You can not be serious?
'Oh...
I am.'
But...
You can not be?
'Not only am I serious...
I had been speechless,
As well.'
She said 'what' to your next door neighbors?
Her parents.
These are 'her' parents...
Right?
'Yes!
She stated to them she was pregnant.
And wanted to have a better life,
For her and her child.
A life better than she was given.
So she decided to keep the baby,
And move in with her parents.
WITH her jobless boyfriend.'
Uh...uh...
'I had the same reaction!
When I first heard about this...
My mouth opened and wouldn't close either.'
Um...ah...wha..wha..uh...
'I understand.
I will give you a call later! '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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I had very few friends. We always ate dinner with our parents. We didn't want to go out. American adolescence was a lot wilder than I would have felt comfortable with.
Yes, and when I had Aaron, he left me, and I didn't know how to raise a child. And I wasn't close to my parents, and because I was too proud to go to my parents for help, I mistreated that little baby. I didn't want a baby.
quote by Lynn Johnston
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Your Children Will Copy You
Be children beholden to their parents.
It behoves children to tend their parents.
To your children you must teach this lesson
By being such child to your old parents.
(26.01.2011)
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Not that we didn't have close relationships with our parents - I'm very close to my mom - but parents didn't think anything of going off for a few weeks and leaving their kids.
quote by Candice Bergen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Didn't Think I Had The Strength To Love Again
I thought I didn't have the strength to love again! ! ! !
I didn't believe in the power of love until you came in my life and loved what I thought was was gone in me.
The person who became covered with seasons of unwanted stuff and I felt like I gave so much of me that I became empty.
And it was at that place that I just wanted to give up on love because I felt that love didn't love me no more, and was sent to drain my heart to the very core.
But when I first saw you, you help me see that I was giving so much of me away that I didn't save anything nothing. And a tear fell from my eyes and in time I truly felt your love poured back into my life! ! ! ! when I thought I didn't have the strength to love again! ! ! !
poem by Clarence Williams
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I Am Laura's Stomach
I Am Laura’s Stomach
It’s Monday morning, she’s got up.
When I asked her for breakfast
she told me to shut up.
When I asked her for my porridge
or at least for an orange
she told me to keep quiet
as from today she was on diet.
She has noticed cellulite
and decided to get rid of it.
In the day time it was a real crime,
she didn’t put anything inside me,
so, I thought to remind her about me.
I switched on the gurgling of my gastric juice
(after all I had nothing to lose)
at an average speed,
hoping she would hear me and would feed.
But nooooo! My anger began to grow.
I decided to strengthen the gurgling, the rumbling,
and…added a little bit of sound.
At last she looked around
and found a cabbage leaf,
I quickly digested it and cried:
I want beef!
At night when she went to sleep
I had only one wish – to weep.
I saw sweet dreams when she lived with her parents,
I thought she had inherited their habits.
How happy I was!
We always had the 1st, the 2nd and the 3rd course.
But hell! It was not for her so well!
She told them she had already grown
that’s why she could live on her own.
What else could I say?
The same story happened the next day.
I was very, very angry
because I was very hungry.
I’ve been shouting during the whole day:
Where is my salad?
Where is my soup?
Soon you won’t see me even through a loupe.
On Thursday in the day time
she gave me some plums.
But what’s happened with me? Was I really a numb?
I was so week, I felt so sick.
Without any questions, without any digestions
I’ve passed all the plums to the bowels
for them to know the particulars.
Next morning in the bathroom
I said goodbye to all those horrible fruit.
Do you know what ‘s happened then?
She gave me some yogurt.
My God! – I thought,
now she becomes better and better.
May be I’ll be a little bit fatter?
But…anyway…it’s early to shout “hurray”.
On Saturday she went to the restaurant with her boyfriend.
I didn’t want to offend her, so I kept quiet,
I so much desired to eat
a good piece of meet, something sweet.
You know that I didn’t eat for the whole weak.
“You look good, but you are very thin,
you have to take some food and it’s not a sin”-
the guy said with a grin.
I thought he was the greatest lad
and my dearest Laura was just mad.
It was late at night when she felt bad.
I was also feeling sad.
Martini, mushrooms, potato, beef…
all that nice food decided to leave.
Shut up, lever! She is clever!
Everything is under control,
she knows that I hate alcohol.
At night, with a little bit of fight,
I said goodbye to all the food she ate
without any regret.
Now I know: she doesn’t like to be fat.
Next morning she drank only mineral water,
her boyfriend has brought for her.
And I certainly kept quiet.
What more can I say?
We are on diet.
Larisa R (Odessa, Ukraine)
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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Poor old Harry!
Harry looked in his mirror
and he didn't like what he saw
his hair was thin and Grey
in fact he didn't have a lot anymore.
Although he was now in his fifties
he wanted to appear trendy and young
so when he noticed his thinning locks
it upset him because he was highly strung.
So he decided to change his look
and he went and bought himself a wig
Harry began to dress like a teenager
and pumped Iron to build muscle real big.
His wife thought that he'd gone mad
or he was having a secret affair
but Harry thought he looked great
especially with his new dark hair.
He felt like a young man again
as he danced at the disco every Saturday
but one night he slipped a disc in his back
and a strong wind blew his toupee away.
So no longer could he lift any heavy weights
and he couldn't afford another costly wig
then all that muscle turned to fat
and he grew large and very big.
So Harry decided to just age naturally
but alas things didn't go according to plan
sadly his wife had her own mid-life crisis
and she ran off with a much younger man!
poem by Kevin Halls
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Control Micro Environment Desires
Rachael to control her micro environment desires
Rachael to around her influence her world desires
Rachael what materialism sales pitch sells desires
turn on the TV hear multiplied sales pitch philosophy
watch TV see value defined as sparkling attained property
learn school seated order clone test graded conformity
why do most parents eventually teach dog eat dog compete?
why do most parents teach attained materialism satisfies?
why not teach love compassion empathy walk in God's light?
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Letters I Didn't Write
I wish you could have read…
The Letters
that I failed to write
I wish you could have felt the touch…
Of hands that failed to
reach out at night
Would’ve liked for you
to have heard…
Words I couldn’t say
Would’ve liked to have felt
The emotions missed…
When I failed to ask you to stay
What you didn’t feel…
When you didn’t hear …
The words I didn’t say
I wish you could have
At least…Felt the love
That you didn’t feel that day
I wish you could’ve known …
The feelings
that I didn’t show
The words I couldn’t bring to light
And tell you
Long ago
I wish somehow,
you could know now
Of things you knew not then
Of words I didn’t say or write
Of touch, or love
Of things... that might have been
poem by David Whalen
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