A whipping earned, a lesson learned
Nothing wrong with a slap even if given with a strap
No plea, or hint only directive given, a spur into one's flanks driven
A demand, an order, a prod in the gut, a slap a firm kick in the butt
No metaphor, no second chance, a stern word, do it or dance
There are no threats only a promise made, a heavy hand to persuade
Each scar and shove a sign of love, Job never cursed his God above
Attempts not accepted, intentions are excepted, no try just do or die
A stern tone a solemn word, before given wings, a fledgling bird
Tough love is shown, from a parent preparing a child to be on their own
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: November 28th, 2025 03:13
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 43
- Users favorite of this poem: Friendship, Tristan Robert Lange
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Comments14
Yes, I don't wrap KP in cotton wool in sentimental love. I put her in a cage and wrap barbed wire around it. That's going too far, says Fido! Well, I said I was 'orrible. lol.
Thanks for the read Orchi. Fido is right a bit of a balance is needed no land mines the barbed wire is fine. As long as life or limb is not lost all is well
Yes, I included the cage, as it would be too harsh to wrap her in actual barbed wire. Ouch! Dunno why she complains. heehee.
Yea you got the point
I don't want to kill her off, but she has to be kept under my thumb - kept down a peg or three! lol. If I killed her off I couldn't show her those kindnesses, such as you mentioned - double helpings of sewage! What more could one want? Dunno why she's not happy in our marriage. heehee.
Don't assume she's not happy, she may have tricked you. If she is a masochist she would be living in heaven with such treatment
Intense and heavy words about punishment from a parent that is excessive. Well written.
Thank you Katie. Times were different then with a hard look on life, now times have changed and the pendulum has swung too far to the soft often leaving young unprepared for life. You are right a middle road would be best but it is hard to find the middle line. Thank you so much for the read and comment it is most appreciated.
Nature dictates you hit the ground running, especially when you're the meal for some predator.
Contrast that with the molly coddled kids today who take their parents to court for taking their phones off them.
Where did it all go wrong.
Society never learns that the middle road is safest and they swing back and forth from extreme to extreme. Thanks for the read Paul your support is most important to me
The poem "Hard Love" revolves around the concept of tough love, emphasizing the necessity of discipline and firmness in the process of raising and preparing a child for independence. The poem suggests that love can manifest in harsh forms, such as discipline and correction, which are ultimately aimed at fostering strength and resilience. The poet includes themes of parental guidance, the balance between love and discipline, and the idea that hardships can be a form of affection.
Thank you Friendship your analysis is right on mark and appreciated very much.
You're very welcome, my friend.
I sometimes wonder how did we go from ' spare the rod, spoil the child" to 'use the rod, loose the child". I am not promoting violence against children, but gentle parenting has gone too far.
Thank you so much Aman for your comment and words of support. Ignorance and laziness cloaked under the disguise of kindness is my answer. To me the key is what is best for the child in the long run not the short and the foresight to see that. Nature does it with birds pushed from the nest cubs chassed off at the right age why don\'t we? Don\'t tell me it is compassion it is cowardice and selfishness not wanting to be disliked by anyone least of all our own kids.
An enigmatic character from the start! Took years of study and mediation to find equilibrium and a working understanding of Job. Excellent poem. 🙏🏻🕊️
The story told is couched in a cosmic bet and that sets us on the wrong track. I think that the strength of the story is not in the details but the simple idea that we should stay true to ourselves and beliefs come what may, that to sell out is selling out to ourself not God. To thine own self be true. Thanks so much my friend i do appreciate your words of support and encouragement.
Most welcome, dear friend 🙏🏻🕊️
Soren, this hits with real force…there’s no padding here, just the raw edge of what gets called love when it’s really survival training. The honesty in it cuts deep, as it should, my friend! Well done! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you Tristan for the read and comment as always appreciated and valued my friend
Some people had children when they really want so much a dog...
Thanks Lorenz some treat their children like dogs and some treat their dogs like children
We are products of our childhood, and the discipline administered by our parents often lives on in us as parents ourselves. We learn by our mistakes, we have to have them to develop, and if parents can help their children to understand, then discipline will have a positive effect. Good write!
Thanks so much Bella yes indeed we are a product of our history. But I wonder it that is so how did we get so far to the soft side in treatment of children that discipline of even a moderate type can be considered child abuse. I appreciate your comment dear Bella.
Unfortunately, the young of today were ruined by us. Too soft we were!
Well said.
Thank you for your review and comment it is appreciated. So true it is and our attitudes set by those before us. It seems that the trend has been a downward one.
'Spare the Rod ; Spoil the Child' they say.
Everyone's wrapped in Cotton wool these days.
So many youths running riot on the Streets.
A Fine Write.
Thanks so much Kevin for your review and words of support. We reap the whirlwind that we sow. Your comment is much appreciated
Dear Soren, I've enjoyed the read, which I find very intense and dynamic, rather persuasive concerning the issue of excessive parental punishment. Best wishes and warm regards,
Thank you so much for the read and comment they are most appreciated. It is interesting that in the past the focus was on child abuse now it is on inability to control a child.
My children never had me slap them, they still grew up with respect for others though soren.
Andy
Thanks so much Andy for your read. Yes it is interesting how that varies from person to person parent or child.
I really hate anger, especially my own. But I just want to point out that, for some people, mental illness comes prepackaged with its own punishment. So, there's really no need for dad, or mom, to get out the "strap", no matter what form it might take.
My impression, from the other comments, is that perhaps I'm taking your words too literally. Still, I really felt compelled to speak up.
Thank you so much for the review and comment. Yes in a sense the poem is not meant to be literal and I would be the last to condone abuse but the pendulum has swung too far to the left and softness does not prepare a child for life but rather for dependence. It is the good of the child that should be kept in mind not of the moment but the future and also not the anger of the parent. If harsh methods obtain the desired result then they need to be considered not for their sake but for the child's
Soren,
I don't think it was fair of me to take issue with your opinion in the sense that you have the right to express it. I also should not try to apply a specific case that might be described as an "exception" to what i guess is intended as a "general" rule. After all, the name of the poem is "Hard Love", which is a clear indicator of what it's about. I'm afraid that it just touched a nerve. I thought that I had waited long enough before I wrote my comment to give me a chance to gain a more reasonable perspective, but I guess I was expecting to much of myself. I should have just let it go. But I appreciate your understanding and tolerance.
Not at all a poem's value is in the eye of the beholder and the best of poems evoke a multitude of feelings and interpretations and should bring out strong emotions. I applaud your response and would encourage you to speak your mind for it is in sharing that we understand. I was fully aware I would step on toes and touch nerves not with the purpose of causing harm but awakening sleeping feelings. My apologies for any pain caused
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