Expectations

sorenbarrett

Burden of Atlas we shove on our children
dreams of grandeur we seed in their head
Fertilizing, too much manure killed one
Over watering, wilted their dream now dead

You can't make an orange tree into a pear
A hammer is not a saw
table never a chair
a flamingo is not a macaw

Orpheus was not meant for war
Hawking no captain of a football team
Value instead what you are
not what society does esteem

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Comments +

Comments10

  • Teddy.15

    What a beautiful message you convey, love this stanza

    You can't make an orange tree into a pear
    A hammer is not a saw
    table never a chair
    a flamingo is not a macaw

    As a mother to an 11 year old I so appreciate this, we do not follow religion, he can choose for himself when he is older, nor do we push him to be someone we want him to be, i am very strict with politeness, and its paid off as he is the most polite in my town, but as for what we want him to be well we have no expectation except that he is happy. Such a gorgeous post dearest sorrenbarret 🌹

    • sorenbarrett

      As a parent I have struggled with this in the past realizing that one can not live one's life through a child. We all want the best for our children but to me best means their happieness not mine. Thanks so much for the read and the comment Teddy it is most appreciated.

    • orchidee

      Why do I persist in trying to make a silk purse out a sow's ear? Or cast my pearls before swine? i.e. KP! lol.

      • sorenbarrett

        Force of habbit Orchi. Thanks for the read.

        • orchidee

          I'm feeding her pig swill now. Well, it OK for pigs, so.... good enough for her! No offence to pigs - and they've no botox.

          • orchidee

            It would be utterly gross if you saw what I cooked up! lol.

          • Neville


            I read this earlier and thought it was great .. came back this evening and it still is .. excellent mate absolutely ..

            • sorenbarrett

              Thanks so much again Neville

            • aDarkerMind

              well you hit the spot with this fine write Soren.

              far too many good lines to pick from.

              very impressed.

              • sorenbarrett

                Thanks so much I appreciate the read and comment

              • Tony36

                Beautiful write

                • sorenbarrett

                  thank you Tony

                  • Tony36

                    You're welcome

                  • Doggerel Dave

                    I'll go for the impeccable rhyme and the last two lines, Soren.

                    • sorenbarrett

                      Thanks Dave I always appreciate your reviews. Have a great day

                    • Cassie58

                      I love this poem. It speaks to me. We have raised our three grandchildren. We just want them to be happy. They are all different, pursuing what they want to do at their own pace and in their own way. You can’t force your own expectations on your kids. It just doesn’t work.

                      • sorenbarrett

                        Thank you Cassie for your read and understanding comment. Your support is appreciated.

                      • Dan Williams

                        Best advice I've received this year. Nailed it again.

                        • sorenbarrett

                          Thank you Dan for your kind words of support they are always appreciated.

                        • Goldfinch60

                          Those last two lines are so very true soren, we are what we are and need to value ourselves.

                          Andy

                          • sorenbarrett

                            Thank you Andy appreciate your support

                          • Aloo Denish Obiero

                            Wow, what great poem with a powerful message! Indeed societal expectations can weigh you down; and unmet expectations bring untold frustrations

                            • sorenbarrett

                              Thank you so much for your review and digging this one up from the past. It means a lot



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