navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #43 » Where Did We Go Wrong
Open Poetry #43
Post A Reply Post New Topic Where Did We Go Wrong Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States

0 posted 2008-08-16 02:43 PM



Where Did We Go Wrong
By Paul Wilson


We could have said no and left it at that
the hurt would have stopped eventually
Since you were a child with that special smile
the thought of saying no never occurred to me

We offered you all that we had
to keep you from walking out the door
You wanted what we couldn’t give
turn the page… life you had to explore

Tender moments and special times
memories forever imbedded in our mind
Everyday we wonder… where did we go wrong
look into our eyes heartache is all you will find

We gave, we loved, we tried the best we could
it was never enough…or perhaps it was too much
This journey thru life has been tough on us
always trying to make things right with a gentle touch

This life of ours will soon end as quietly as it began
and it won’t matter to you any of you
The two of us have walked thru this life alone
always hoping your love would see us thru

Wasted time we couldn’t save in a bottle
memories gone never to be shared with you
You’ve got your reasons and we’ve got ours
someday the memory of you will vanish too



~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

© Copyright 2008 Paul D. Wilson - All Rights Reserved
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
1 posted 2008-08-16 03:03 PM


Oh, how well I understand this.  I am glad that you have your wife to help you through.  My daughter did much the same to me, but I divorced my husband when she was 4 and my son was 1, so I have had to go it alone.  

I don't think that any of the three of us did anything more wrong than any other parents.  We did the best we could.  There are so many children that love parents who really have done them wrong in many, many ways.  As long as we did our best, and don't give up trying to establish a relationship with the "prodigal" child, and believe and hope and pray when hope seems lost, there is nothing more that we can do.

Wishes for strength, warmth and reconciliation

- Owl

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 posted 2008-08-16 03:14 PM


Paul,

I think most parents that whine—“Where did we go wrong” know exactly where they went wrong.

Thank God for ALL the young people.

Bobby

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
3 posted 2008-08-17 04:48 AM


Oh, dear Paul, I feel with you. A very poignant write. You have given some reasons and I think what we really have to consider is that our children are independent persons, that can't be "kept". There is Khalil Gibran who said it so well, you know:

quote:
"On Children
by Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.


Don't be sad therefore, but love your offspring UNCONDITIONALLY, bless them with every breath and have peace within your heart.

God knows how much you love them and they know too ... Trust.

Love and hugs,
Margherita


Bonnie j
Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588
Ohio
4 posted 2008-08-17 09:37 AM


Oh! Our babies all grown make us cry in silence for their unbecoming ways. But we still love them ....no matter what.
I'll look around in my writings and see what I can find. How a parent feel the pain our babies do inflict.
Hugs
BonBon

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
5 posted 2008-08-17 12:28 PM


OwlSA, Marghertia, Bonnie

Thanks for taking time to read and for you caring replies.

I only wrote this I guess out of fustration with my 3 children. Isolation from the ones you love whether it is your choice or not is always hard to take and it does make you wonder what went wrong. We just deal with it and move on and hope that someday things will be better...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL
6 posted 2008-08-17 03:05 PM


Sad...but I still enjoyed reading it

"...buried way beneath the sheets
I think she's having a meltdown..."
"Buckcherry"

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
7 posted 2008-08-18 12:38 PM



Oh Paul that is so well written but
at the same time it is so sad. I feel for  

you and your wife my friend but keep your chins up, as we are all pulling for you.
Take care.

Lindsay

poddarku
Senior Member
since 2008-01-15
Posts 589
india
8 posted 2008-08-18 10:14 AM


the rise and fall of emotion is superbly held in this wise piece

clever talks delay friendship!

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
9 posted 2008-08-18 12:00 PM


Paul~
Your post is heartbreaking to me~
I cannot imagine ANYTHING on God's green earth that could, or would, separate me from my children~

No matter what they did, or said, could keep me from loving them for the all of time~

Reading this in your post -
'You’ve got your reasons and we’ve got ours'
-causes me to think that the divide between you all is a two-way street ... and someone needs to be big enough to put away their pride (or reasons) to cross that street to make amends~

Life is just too darned short to let it sit unanswered~

I am so sorry that you and your children are at an impasse ... I pray that you and your wife can find some way to patch things up with your children~

They are a reflection of all you have taught them and you need them, especially as the years advance~
Just my honest opinion here, my dear friend~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -               noles1@totcon.com

Misty Lilacs
Senior Member
since 2005-11-15
Posts 1060
White Birch Forest
10 posted 2008-08-18 12:34 PM


Paul, this is heartbreaking. I cannot ever imagine not having my 3 children around me.
I hope someday there will be reconciliation
and healing for you.

hugs, Marti

Life is a celebration of awakenings,
of new beginnings, and wonderful surprises that enlighten the soul.
    --Cielo

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
11 posted 2008-08-18 02:19 PM


Temptress...Thanks for reading and your reply...Paul

LindsayP...Thanks for caring. I really appreciate it...Paul

poddarku...You are so right, it is an emotional roller coaster. Thanks for understanding...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
12 posted 2008-08-18 02:27 PM


Marge...I know you really have a caring heart, by your reply. Thanks so much for caring.

We will never quit loving and caring about our children, sometime's that just doesn't seem to be enough. We have tried to make things right, but it seems like everytime we do it just isn't enough. I will always hope and pray that things can be right...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
13 posted 2008-08-18 02:29 PM


Misty...Believe me not having a relationship with my 3 children is like a living hell. I think about them everyday and hope that someday we will mend our fences and be a family again. Thanks so much for reading and your reply...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
14 posted 2008-08-18 07:17 PM


Fine writing...James
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
15 posted 2008-08-18 07:41 PM


Oh, Paul, your heartache breaks my heart! Keep on loving them and hopefully your 'flock' will one day return to the family fold.

Giving you a loving, compassionate hug,
Linda

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
16 posted 2008-08-18 08:29 PM



~Paul~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -               noles1@totcon.com

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
17 posted 2008-08-19 09:51 AM


James...Thanks, glad you liked it...Paul

Linda...I will be just fine, thanks for caring. All I can do is keep hoping for the best. Thank you dear lady for your tender heart...Paul

Marge... right back to you.
Thanks for all you do. You should be worried about yourself and here you are putting others before you. Thats not fair.
You will always be a special lady to me and have a special place in my heart...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
18 posted 2008-08-19 12:42 PM


Being a parent myself I understand.  If only parenthood came with a no fault instruction manual on the day they are born but all we can do is the best we can and hope some of it sticks.  I enjoyed the read very much.
inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392
Ohio
19 posted 2008-08-19 01:23 PM


very sad
to think of the torment you must feel
thanks for writing this because it reminds me to love my own unconditionally hard as it is sometimes, because i dont ever want to write something like this sorry to say this, i wish you peace however

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
20 posted 2008-08-19 03:44 PM


Mark...Thanks so much understanding and for your reply. I guess as children we drove our parents crazy at times and now ours are doing the same to us. I've come to the conclussion that we just have to try and keep the peace and do the best we can until that proverbial light goes on in their heads...Paul

Inkedgoddess...I hope you never have to experience this as well, but to tell you the truth I really think most parents go thru this as a sort of parenthood ritual.
Thanks so much for reading and your reply...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
21 posted 2008-08-20 09:59 PM


better days ahead, I know it
Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #43 » Where Did We Go Wrong

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary