Thursday, 10 July 2008

PARENT IN PAIN - a poem by June Saville

Parenthood can spawn the most precious of life's moments, but there are times we don't speak about, when we may experience thoughts and feelings that we don't admit even to ourselves:

They withdraw and return, at will.
We stand punished
For unnamed transgressions.
They need. We need.
They need not to need,
Brutal in their desire for independence.

Oh, the unfairness of being a parent
Aware of the requirement NOT to cling.
Our burden … begin letting go
From the moment of birth.
We live by that creed, however difficult.
However unrecognised.
A helpmate when required.
A punching bag ...
As necessary.

The good times outweigh the bad.
I think.

I know
That right now I feel a wrenching hurt ...
A knife that cuts my heart to ribbons.


© June Saville 2008 All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced without written permission of the author.
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7 comments:

  1. Bai Maleiha B. Candao18 December 2008 at 22:15

    I love this poem June. I am a parent too and I could relate with it. Keep writing, my friend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. June Saville19 December 2008 at 06:54

    I'm pleased you enjoyed and understood my poem Bai. I think most mothers would have something in common with my feelings ...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous16 February 2009 at 23:21

    I love the poem'Parent in Pain' You feel so deeply, and genuinely.
    Yes, I have read my poems in U.K. which I miss greatly, & 'miles and miles of sea' is a refeence to that.
    Write on...

    ReplyDelete
  4. June Saville17 February 2009 at 11:21

    SMITA
    I suspected so. It must be hard to move away from familiar surroundings.
    So pleased you relate to 'Parent in Pain'. I do think it contains some truths.
    June

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous31 March 2009 at 15:22

    I read ' Parent in Pain' again & again! That's the success of a poem! But where has the 'magic realism' you imbibed from Gabriel Garcia Marquez disappeared? Waiting for Paternity's end...
    An emotional burden!

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  6. June Saville31 March 2009 at 18:19

    SMITA SMITA
    Cool it babe. I am working away on the final episode and think my bloggy mates will enjoy the new ending. It will be a big long juicy chapter, so I hope it will be worth the wait. Problem is, I have to live a life as well.
    There are lots of short stories and poems on the site as compensation!

    Thanks for the positive feedback about Parent in Pain. I think quite a lot of people will relate to that one, although many mightn't admit it.

    Also, you are getting the message that I like to dip my toe into all sorts of writing genres. That's such fun.
    Cheers
    June

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  7. A misinterpreted wave11 May 2009 at 20:53

    Such a wonderful thing that I found this poem tonight, just as I have felt these emothions so powerfully. It's nice to know I'm not alone

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment. Its good to know who is having a peek! I will certainly send a comment in reply.

To move directly to all other stories. Go to INDEX at
http://journeysincreativewriting.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2012-02-12T15:35:00%2B10:00&max-results=1

Also, you may like to have a look at my other blog 70 Plus and Still Kicking. http://www.70plusandstillkicking.blogspot.com

Cheers June

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