What Abuse?

Goldfinch60



Looking back from this day and age

It seems that as a child I was abused,

Abused by my Mum.

 

She made do household jobs

And made me go to school.

Such a wicked woman.

 

If I went out I had to be back,

Back home by a set time.

If I did wrong I was slapped round the legs,

Oh such abuse.

 

She said I must get a job and work,

Work for the things I wanted.

Such a slave driver.

 

She insisted I do my best at school,

And at my job and to take pride in my work,

What a flaming cheek.

 

All this led to what I am.

I grew up with good morals,

And a good work ethic.

I have respect for all,

For all in my life.

And I don’t get offended

By things I disagree with.

This ethos of mine came from them,

Came from my parents,

Who sent me into my world with knowledge,

Knowledge of how to cope with life,

And show respect to one and all.

 

Why are the young not taught,

Not taught to be like this

In this day and age?

  • Author: Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: September 28th, 2022 01:12
  • Comment from author about the poem: Respect seems to have disappeared nowadays.
  • Category: Reflection
  • Views: 30
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Comments7

  • orchidee

    Good write Gold.
    And a grunt from some who serve in shops. We say:' Oohh, I got a response today; a grunt, if not a thank you!'

    • Goldfinch60

      Very true Orchi.

      • orchidee

        Doh! Yep, I got the grunt - or silent treatment! Haggling over, not the price of fish, but the price of sausages. They have to charge you the lower price if it's on the shelf label, and someone forgot to change the price.
        'Crisis; what crisis?' said a former PM, returning from his hols!

      • Fay Slimm.

        My complete agreement Andy with your verse on today's view of Abuse - - and put so precisely this question you raise at the end of your reflection on what it meant a few years back - parents were supposed to discipline growing children - - what is this present system coming to I wonder.

        • Goldfinch60

          Thank you Fay, I just do not know what is happening to the youngsters these days. Occasionally I come across a youngster who does show politeness and respect and it is so meaningful to me, but it is so rare.

          Andy

        • John Prophet

          Unfortunately it’s not the fault of the young we’re in such a state. They were born as we were. It’s the parents and society that’s warped the generation. IMHO

          • Goldfinch60

            So very true John, thank you for your comment.

            Andy

          • Doggerel Dave

            Now I have a funny presentiment
            That you ain’t going to like wot I say:
            Andy please give up on your sad lament –
            Societal pressures win the day.

            Yes, parents make you what you are, no argument – I am my father in many ways. But also in many ways life is harder than it was then. The mores and norms of society change; Things weren’t brilliant then either – people’s roles were much more restricted, most people were poorer than today, at least where I live….and so on.
            Take very good care of yourself, Andy

            • Goldfinch60

              Thank you Dave.
              Yes it is probably true what you say but a simple please and thank you does not cost anything to say.
              I am fine Dave, I hope that you are the same.

              Andy

            • Paul Bell

              All down to Esther Rantzen, who took away leg slapping and handed kids powers only dictators would approve off. All went downhill from then.

              • Goldfinch60

                You may be right Paul, it is such a shame.

                Andy

              • Jerry Reynolds

                Good write, Andy.
                We are handing them a world they cannot survive in. They tolerate us but see us as fools wallowing in legends of yesterday.

                • Goldfinch60

                  Thank you Jerry.
                  You may be write but we too have had to live through many troubles but respect is still there within us.

                  Andy

                • Neville


                  I quite agree but I am also reminded of what Socrates said around circa 470 BC -

                  'The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households.'

                  And so it seems, somethings never change ...................... Neville

                  • Goldfinch60

                    So it seems Neville.

                    Andy



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