Mountain View |
Burdened by the weight of so many books, expectations,
not dreams 'cause I didn't know true wishes yet,
I walked slowly, reluctantly towards home,
place of restrictions, of old people unwilling to accept
newness, modern times, and me,
speaking their tongue, while delighting in ethnic treats,
wondering what real kids ate.
I shut them out, of my room and my thoughts
"knowing",
they didn't care
about my struggles, concerns or successes,
what I did to fit the pieces in the puzzle of my life.
Many nights, my growing pains so fierce,
they sat, not knowing what to do.
trying what they could to pacify my groans.
I rolled my eyes with intolerance
at their attempts to parent me,
who walked through clouds
of foggy, oblivious certainty.
But, it's really true what they say about time.
Today when I walk and think of them,
I smile.
Now I recognize them as an ever giving presence,
the way I recognize the sun.
Don't think I could be more grateful for my grandparents who raised me, loved me and put up with me.
(Submitted to Dverse Poe where we are prompted to write about growing up, and Poets United)
Love the ending. My grandparents have been my safe haven growing up. I've definitely had my share of frustrations but, no matter what, they are always there for me.
ReplyDeleteLove those closing lines, it speaks much of their presence in our lives ~
ReplyDeleteAnd Grandparents do have a place in our lives, I believe that ~
Happy weekend ~
Myrna, I think that we have to do a lot of 'growing up' sometimes before we recognize certain things about the people who parent us, whether it be parents or grandparents. The rolling of eyes, I think, is an adolescent phenomenum; and we all did it, I think. But in retrospect we are thankful for everything...even the things that seemed restrictive at the time.
ReplyDeleteyeah- I love this...and that ending is that 'moment' of growing up...knowing, with hindsight, about the love for the people trying to raise you, and free from the muddied, chaotic views we have as children growing into adults and wrestling with the world...this is really honest, and a think a perspective that many of us share
ReplyDeletei can def relate to this...i really struggled against my parents...it was after i went to college that our relationship really started to bloom....being a parent now, well i think it might be karma...haha
ReplyDeleteRecognized a kindred soul in this amazing and honest piece. I feel great aloha for the person who wrote it. YOU!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Honolulu-
Please enjoy a Free Peek at my Hawaii Novel!
Aloha Where You Like Go?
How sweet. My granny is 95+, and she is the only grandparent I have around. I love her, and your work brought back so many memories.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
www.anucreatiopns.blogspot.in
Now I recognize them as an ever giving presence,
ReplyDeletethe way I recognize the sun.... love this...i think it's difficult for parents to raise a child but even more for grandparents as things change so quickly in our world
...I see what you were up against..another generation another culture...that lack of understanding was so crucial..thanks for sharing;)
ReplyDeleteLove the ending. Beautiful tribute
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. It definitely take a while at times to recognize how amazing our parents are.
ReplyDeleteOh Myrna, you have tugged at my heartstrings. I love how you "knew" they didn't care. Ah, the arrogance of youth. I too often "knew" my mother didn't care about me and my growing pains... But then I grew up and gained an entirely different perspective. Ah, the wonder of life. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDelete"I rolled my eyes with intolerance
ReplyDeleteat their attempts to parent me,
who walked through clouds
of foggy, oblivious certainty."
This is a wonderfully self-aware and descriptive stanza. Your description of how our attitudes towards our parents changes as we become adults is spot on. This is good marker of adulthood.
Lovely sense of acceptance in this, that only really comes with age. If only we knew then what we know now. :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely sense of acceptance in this, that only comes with age. If only we knew then what we know now. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis captures teen angst exactly. And our different perspectives when we are older.
ReplyDeleteMyrna,
ReplyDeleteI love your poem, as I had a great relationship with my grandfathers, maternal grandmother and my husband's grandparents. We noticed their leaving and the emptiness...We feel their guidance.
Thank you for this lovely poem Myrna:)
Eileen
Myrna, such a considered and thoughtful post. Can't have been easy to put those feelings into words.
ReplyDeleteOur feelings, our perspectives, do change with time - definitely they do with those who raised us - and this piece captures those feelings precisely.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome, insightful poem. I think we all go through this step to adulthood even if the reasons for rejection of our parents ways are different.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful, loving poem.
ReplyDeletei think that must be the best consolation for growing up, being able to see your parents as people rather than as context. great poem.
ReplyDeletewonderfully written. I think that for those who had the fortune of spending quality time with their grandparents are certainly better off for it. Definitely an awareness here that comes out of the monitor through the words. Very nicely done. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWow @ that ending. As someone who has done a lot of growing up, I really enjoyed the lesson here.
ReplyDeleteA poem lovely, you describe many strong feelings that all of us feel. A poem from the soul real, very written after years of reflection.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you move from resentment at their failure to understand and accept you for being you, to a realisation of all that they gave that has contributed positively to who you are now. If I wanted to give illustrations of growing up, this is one I would pick.
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful moving tribute!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, Myrna. Isn't it funny how all of a sudden we are our parents or grandparents!?
ReplyDeleteI wasn't really involved with my grandparents at all so I determined to do it differently and be a part of my grands lives. What a joy!
ReplyDeleteYour piece warmed my heart, Myrna. My grandparents did not raise me, but lived just minutes away and offered shelter in the storm that was my family home. We are lucky.
ReplyDeleteGrandparents give out so much and they get bullied in the process. Grandchildren get away 'with murder' if they have grandparent as minders. Nicely Myrna!
ReplyDeleteHank
lovely to come to that realization.
ReplyDelete♥