I was a late child from my parents, so I grew up surrounded by people a lot older than me. I think even when I was 21, I felt like I was a 70-year-old man.
quote by Jonathan Franzen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
Why I Could Care Less' by Lawrence S. Pertillar
I grew up in the projects,
My sister and I.
I was the older...
And expected to be the protector,
Without excuses or alibis.
I had no one older to express my frustrations.
My mother was both my mom and dad then.
And my sister and I were latchkey children!
I grew up with an edge.
A bit of a chip on my shoulder!
I really didn't have a childhood...
I always felt quite older.
And throughout my life...
Witnessing those who whine about petty stuff.
I look back upon my life thanking God,
How I grew up.
I thank God for my parents...
And their struggles to maintain.
My sister Andrea who helped me remain sane!
The Women's League Day Care Center...
With their counselors who guided me on my way.
The residents of Bellevue Square...
To this day I may see a few from those 'golden days'.
And to those who take others for granted.
With demands their selfish whims be met...
If it had not been for them,
And their pointless greed and attitudes...
I probably would not express,
Why I could care less...
About them now being in distress and duress.
My mama taught me a few things about survival...
'What goes up comes down!
Folks who grin and smile...
Will someday show frowns.
Now go outside and try to be a child,
Like the other kids! '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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When I was a kid, I was surrounded by girls: older sisters, older girl cousins just down the street... except for an older boy named Vito who threw rocks. Each year I would wish for a baby brother. It never happened.
quote by Wally Lamb
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Who Will Cry?
Who will cry for the little child who goes for days without food?
Who will cry for the little child who parents beat them?
Who will cry for the little child who is mistreated for being different?
Who will cry for the little child who goes unloved?
Who will cry for the little child whose stomach is swelled up?
Who will cry for the little child who doesn't have clothes to wear?
Who will cry for the little child who is shunned for not being popular?
Who will cry for the little child who is molested every night?
Who will cry for the little child who's parents are not around?
Who will cry for the little child who has to take care of his self?
Who will cry?
Will you cry?
Cause I have.
poem by Natasha Ligons
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Secrets
[children playing]
late in September
memories I can't erase
the shiver through autumn
the memory of your face
'cause I grew much older
I wonder
whatever I could have done
to fight all the magnets
but I close my eyes
and find truth in what I'm sayin'
they thought it was all a lie
how could they deny it when I was just a
little child
secrets I kept inside me
no one can understand
secrets I had to hide
'cause no one would hold my hand when
secrets for me to know
and never for you to see
secrets for only me
emotions so bother my soul
to know that I felt much pain
I thought it would go far away
it did for the moment
find truth in what I'm sayin'
they thought it was all a lie
how could they deny it when I was just a child
baby
song performed by by Anastacia from Freak Of Nature
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Caught
As a child,
I remember the first time...
Playing hide-and-seek.
Peeking to duck.
That's all I knew to do.
I didn't want to be the one caught.
I thought my hiding places could not be seen.
With a thinking everything I said,
And where I could be would be believed.
I was a child and a child occupied my head.
And I would lie as I hid from others to hide.
But as a child I had no idea,
My attempts to fool and deceive...
Others much older than me already did.
It was as if I had been a plate of unclouded glass.
Hiding.
But everywhere I sought to hide...
Eventually I was caught.
I thought my hiding places could not be seen.
With a thinking everything I said,
And where I could be would be believed.
Until it dawned on me when I got older...
I was no longer a child seeking hiding places sought.
And I grew tired of that as I matured.
Tired I grew...
Of getting caught.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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I teach one semester a year, and this year I'm just teaching one course during that semester, a writing workshop for older students in their late 20s and early 30s, people in our graduate program who are already working on a manuscript and trying to bring it to completion.
quote by Tobias Wolff
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Who Must Take Care of Old-aged Parents?
Which child will care for parents when old-aged?
Which child will show compassion and respect?
Which child will find the time to talk kind words?
Which child reciprocates their affection?
Gone are the days of joint family system!
Gone is the sense of values in people!
Gone are the times when blood was quite thicker!
Gone with the wind is honouring parents!
Have parents not showered love on children?
Have they not slogged to give them life's comforts?
Have they not nursed them whenev'r they fell ill?
Have they not done their duties to their kids?
The world today is selfish to the core;
Children just want the wealth of parents old;
None volunteer to tend to old parents;
Children show scarce love to their parents dear!
What has then come upon children today?
Who should take care of parents, elderly?
Should not one's children take care of parents?
Much love seems lost in families these days!
poem by John Celes
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The Circle
From parent and child
to friend to child to parent.
I've grown and reflecting back.
The circle is clear to me.
As a child looking up to them.
Then eye to eye
with the coming of age.
Still I looked up to them.
Many the role my parents played
guiding my course through life.
Their status with me
changing as older I grew.
Entering the world of adults
leaving adolescence behind.
Friends confidants
and equals they became.
When times my needs demanded
support direction advice.
Always they were there.
On my parents I could rely.
Taking my place as a parent.
Their wisdom a well I drew from.
Their strength
became a staff I leaned on.
One day to me
it was suddenly clear.
My path through life
followed the footprints they left.
When came the time
in their autumn years.
For safe haven they looked to me.
Their obligations I realized fulfilled.
It was for me now the time
to carry that load
they had gladly borne.
The circle had come full turn.
poem by Kurt Hearth
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A Missed Childhood
I missed out on having a childhood
went from a little girl to womanhood.
I think the way my parents raised their children
was only the best of what they're parents could.
I always felt like their Cinderella
always cleaning, ironing and straightening up it seemed.
Taking care of my little sisters and brother
never spending time to be just that child which I need.
I always felt that I had missed out on something
and searched for that missing link throughout my life.
Been married too many times to speak of
been a mother to two sons and a loving wife.
I always promised myself not to repeat
what and how I had been raised.
But to give my sons all of my love
with Respect and Love and Praise.
To allow them to be a child
the best child that they could be.
And always keep myself in check
remembering that missing part of that child in me.
poem by Linda Winchell
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When
When?
When did the snowfall
Lose it’s magic?
When did the night sky
Commence to look small?
It was when I grew up…
When did the past
Become so tragic
When did the shadows
Start to fall
It was when I grew older…
When did the sunset
Lose it’s wonder
When did the sunrise
Lose it’s ability to awe
It was when I grew old and jaded…
When did people’s names
Become so hard to remember
When did I lose
The love of September
I think… I think it was when I got older still….
When did I start crying
At the smallest sad thing
When did my memory
Begin to take wing
I think it was….I’m almost sure it was…
But I can’t exactly….remember just
when
poem by David Whalen
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7th February 2012
I was a year older on Tuesday,7th February 2012;
And, you were a year older on the same day!
Day, ray, say, tray, bray, bay, pray, play, May, way, away;
But this poem is dedicated to you my friend.
Date, mate, late, rate, hate, bate, gate, crate, pate, sate, state;
For, the occasion also reminded me of your love!
Year, ear, hear, sear, tear, wear, bear, dear, fear, gear, spear;
And like the ways of life around us! !
But, this poem is dedicated to you.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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In Love With An Older Man
The law will not stop my love for him
And neither will my parents
I love him indeed I do
If it is against the law to be in love with an older man
Then I am gulity with a capital G
For I do love him; forever and ever they say
If my parents make me chose between him and them
I pick him for he was there
Sorry Ma and Pa but love comes before anything
Stop me trying to love somebody will never happen
You can try all you want
Yet you will fail
I love him
Oh how I love him
Stupid law cannot and will not stop my love
Lock me up and throw away the key
Because I have no innocence when I am in love
Ma and Pa can kick me out or hate me I do not care
For love is my new thing
I love him
Is it plain to see
I want him
Do not make it anymore difficult than it has to be.
I have a year to wait
How depressing my life will be
I am sorry law that I am in love with an older man
poem by Makayla Straight
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Could be a cruel mother
My husband’s mother loved,
Cared and nursed my son,
More than she did her son,
Pouring her sweats and time.
Someone caring my son
Must be a source of pride
To me beside a relief.
Yet I felt most perturbed.
The child grew under her care;
The child found a good time
To be found near her
With its back towards me.
The lady must exit.
She did as I planned.
The child fell sick and felt
Bad about her absence.
I’ve been much relieved.
The child has much grieved.
I became much spirited
And the child, dispirited.
The welfare of the child
Was not my concern, ho!
My sole concern was that
It was under my spell.
Aren’t I a cruel mother?
21.09.2008
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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The Loss Of A Child
Dear God we ask,
Take care of our little child,
Someone who means so much to us,
So beautiful, so gentle, so mild.
A battle fought when tiny,
To stay upon this earth,
A child that was very weak,
From the moment of the birth.
Our prayers were sent for healing,
We gave thanks every day,
For the time the child was amongst us,
But alas, still was taken away.
You have taken the one we worshipped,
To your home in heaven above,
I am sure you had your reasons,
For taking someone we love.
My child I know you are hurting,
You feel life is not the same,
You have nothing to reproach yourself,
You were not to blame.
God took back to heaven,
A rare and beautiful flower,
He has planted it in his garden,
Will surround it with all his power.
The spirit of your child,
In heaven will develop and grow,
To be surrounded by those good people,
Will be surrounded by those you know
Although you have lost the material,
The spirit will be strong and true,
The good times you remember,
Your child will be close to you.
poem by Malcolm Bradshaw
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They Don't Last Forever
They give you a life they look after you,
To them you're their reason for living,
Whatever happens if troubles ensue,
They'll be caring and always forgiving.
Do they own you or is it the other way round,
In fact neither statement is true,
Parent child relationships were made to astound,
You love them and they'll always love you.
They will want you to achieve so much more,
Regardless you will fill them with pride,
With you they will have a unique rapport,
Their devotion will never subside.
They'll try to teach you about good and bad,
To ensure you avoid all their mistakes,
They'll forever be there be it happy or sad,
A good parent just never forsakes.
Yes there'll be times they will get annoyed,
You will bring them to total despair,
Any troubles you have they will never avoid,
For you they will always be there.
You may well think they just interfere,
Their aim is to cause you great strife,
As you grow older it will become clear,
They just want you to have a good life.
They'll try to put up with your mood swings,
Watch over you each day as you grow,
The good times and problems another year brings,
Their love you will feel and will know.
Embarrassing you is a parents right,
There'll be times they will drive you wild,
Regardless of that they will never lose sight,
That to them you will always be their child.
You will do things that will surprise,
Good parents like nothing more,
What you can achieve will open their eyes,
That's why it's you they adore.
If you only strive to do your best,
Without the need for discord,
If with common sense you are blessed,
That will be your parents reward.
When you have children yourself one day
That is when you will learn,
The sacrifice your parents had to pay,
Mutual respect is a gift both must earn.
Your Mum and Dad are messengers from God,
Look after them while they're here,
What they do for us we should all applaud,
Their actions we must truly revere.
Your parents will give you love and care,
That special bond you must never sever,
God's trials of life can be so unfair,
For the pity is,
‘' They Don't Last Forever ''
The Lie
For William Verdun Harris
My late brother.
It started years before I was born,
but the lie came into being after.
I knew nothing of it, why should I?
You never question your parents,
what they tell you, you believe.
Therefore, the lie grew and grew
as years folded into one another.
The lie became accepted as the truth.
Its hurt would not be felt
before four score and more had passed.
A Christmas card with a note from an Aunt.
Your half brother Bill would love to hear from you.
Half brother? I have no half brother.
He is your adopted brother
and my adopted uncle, so I was told.
No, he is your half brother.
I investigated what was said.
Soon the truth of the lie was revealed.
The lie had split two brothers,
to the other sides of the world.
Through urgent phone calls, I found him.
I had to see him, too many years had passed.
Who knows how long we had?
Travel plans were made,
the journey was now set.
After forty-two years, we came face to face.
Hug, tears and a family get together.
Those lost faces from the other side of the world.
We talked and talked into the night,
so much to learn and so little time.
Two weeks went quick and we parted again.
The telephone a communication line,
but how do you make up so many years,
with such little time?
The answer is you don’t.
The next year we extended our visit,
but still it wasn’t long enough.
We would never get another year,
within months my brother was gone,
and for months, I missed his calls.
But the lie was never retracted,
and my sister never got to know,
the other brother that she had.
She still believes the lie,
and won’t accept the truth.
She does not talk to me,
not out of anything either of us has done.
The long distant lie is at fault,
the guilt no one could admit to,
because they felt it would bring great shame.
Now a family lies in tatters,
a sad story all that remains,
about a lie, which almost the truth became.
What will the future bring, that’s something we can never tell.
I for one, hold no one with any ill will.
poem by David Harris
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Children?
Children are the easily led,
Their learning is profound,
Their lift is happy and proud,
Why do parents forgive them?
We produce the fellow children
To lift and uplift each of us
When there happens a life.
Children need growth to boast,
To live and outlive, to death is their journey
After a life of straightforward happiness and bliss.
Felt good? Why children? Because, say Children,
We live among others who are like the mothers
In the land we call Children.
Child after child shall learn of the existing ones
That need admirals and generals of late.
The defence of a child is the greatest concern,
And I laugh at one who destroys life,
Ever in turmoil is a child because of this act.
Children will be enough to be today.
Children can upset no one who is old and ancient,
Selfless students are children.
However much you push and pull at the threads that children weave
And sort, and spread, and sew,
The adult will sew better and more often than a child.
That is the secret, children.
poem by Naveed Akram
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Domestic Shades-10
Apartheid
---
One day born my sister to flash on my dark face
There it started to grow as we grew colourful
All dark shades fought with me
But matched my sis very well
Worried parents yet managed to get me a fair husband
But my m'-in-law felt beaten
Repenting her tongue on her youthful mockery
At my huband's early gingelly-friend
Felt a curse from dark me
But fair my parents begot their curse
All from both my grand-pas
Now I'm mellowed
It's a divine gene
Providence's pastime is separatism
No more talking of familial racism
poem by Indira Renganathan
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New Year resolutions
One year gone,
New year comes.
Old resolutions achieved,
New resolutions planned.
We’re one year older, and
A year wiser.
We’re wiser, older, and
A year gone.
New hope and new vision,
Envision your dream,
Plan your dream,
Dare your dream.
Realize your dream,
Dream your dream,
Vision your dream,
Achieve your dream.
New resolutions here,
Old resolutions gone.
New lives, new you,
New Year, new resolutions.
New Year Arrives,
Happy New You,
Happy New Year,
Happy & Merry Year.
poem by Lawrence Hiung
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Torn Apart
Many a year ago, there was one
And that one grew to few
And that few to many
And that many became one
And from that one, came strength
But there was one who left
Betrayed by the people called one
The one people accumilated a pride
A pride that the one people could not fight or hide
And so the unity of the one people became numb
One by one, the end was to come
To those that all the people had once been one
And the one who vanished, who was first betrayed
Who was hated, murdered, then in his grave now he laid
Was the one that existed many a year ago
poem by Julius Victorio
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