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Open Poetry #9
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Ode to a Teenager
| Open Poetry #9 |
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Ode to a Teenager |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada 
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Ode to a Teenager I think I shall begin to say A heartfelt and sincere, Apology to my dear folks To whom I hold so dear. You see, I am much older now, And have kids of my own, And never did I think I’d reap The “seed that I have sown”. I flashback to my younger years, And struggle to recall, The innocence that I portrayed, For truly, after all ... I’m sure I wasn’t “ever” bad, Or nasty or talked back; I was an “angel” ... wasn’t I? I never caused much flak. I think that’s right (it’s years ago), And memories, they can dim; But was I not the “perfect” child Who obeyed your every whim? I think that’s stretching truths a bit; I surely had my days ... But does that really justify My “own” child’s errant ways? What happened to my loving child? The one who did “no wrong”? The one I cuddled up at night, And sang his favorite song. “You are my sunshine” one minute ... My “storm” the moment next; I want to punish you at times, And yet, I have regrets. For I was “not” a perfect child, I think I’ll now admit; And teenage years are difficult For those enduring it. What I must keep in mind is this ... I’ve taught you with my heart; And we’ve had many loving years, Our “hard days” ne’er shall part. For through the ups and downs, the swings Between “young child” and “man”, I’ll keep in mind that this is just A part of life’s strange plan. To let you grow I have to try To take it daily now ... For you are like a baby bird Who’s learning how to fly. You’ll test your wings (and this I know) To see how far to push ... Before I put my foot down, And bring you “down to earth”. Now all I ask, is “work with me”; We’ll butt heads for a while; But just remember ... I’M the one Who goes the “extra mile”. I pay the bills, I mop the floors, I drive you here and there ... But truly there are times when I just sit back in despair. I’m only human ... nothing more, And I’ve been “where you’re at”; Believe me when I truly say I’ve “been there” and “done that”. So if that’s true, you’d think that I Would have a lesson learned, And wouldn’t fret or feel so hurt In times that you do turn, In to a quite unruly child, A man I do not know ... But I will hold on to my heart, For this fact I “do” know. And that is simple, pure and clear, You’re still my loving child ... You simply have a stash of “masks”, For times “you’re in disguise”. So anytime I see a “mask”, I’ll try my best to see ... That handsome, loving, caring child Who’s true face is beneath. For I don’t think you mean to say The things you sometimes do; It’s in those times, my loving child, I’ll point this out to you. For I do love you, but I’ve learned My lessons in this life; It’s your turn now, so listen up ... We need to ease this strife! So how ‘bout this, my dear young man, The next time that you “shout” Instead of arguing with me ... Look in my eyes of doubt, And search to find those memories, Of the mother you still love; Reach out to me and talk it through ... And seal it “with a hug”. /Kit McCallum *I wrote this from my sister's point of view a while back when she was getting frustrated. It's about her wonderful teenage son (I love them both so dearly ... and watch out driving ... he just got his licence!)* |
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| © Copyright 2000 Kit McCallum - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Jon Mewett Senior Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 1304 |
A great joy to read Kit and oh so true...learnings a long process but he'll get there and then he'll treasure this poem. Jon |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Kit~ This is so well written. I think (if it's allowed) that as the Teen Forum moderator ... that it should be posted there also. The teens of today are much more brilliant and responsible than many give them credit for being. Great work, Kit ! ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Wonderfully written, Kit... you have picked the loving angle of a mother well... with a well pronounced respect for her child and also let her teach him the better way to live life. regards, sudhir |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Oh those teenage years Kit they are truly a strain on the parent. What a fabulous description you have penned here of the highly emotional times that come up between a mother and her teenage son. I used to laugh at my Grandfather he would say.."I think you kids just come along to pay us back for what we did to our own parents." he had quite a sense of humour which got him through a lot when it came to bringing me up. |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
Kit, this is a wonderful piece! You describe many of the trials that teenagers face. The boy you write about is very lucky to have a mother like that, not everyone gets that support. Again, great job!  "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde "The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief" -Shakespea |
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Jacman Member
since 2000-06-27
Posts 291Dwight Il, US |
You remind me of the relationship between my mother and I. For you see it was alone she raised me from knee high. I grew up a young man to be with dreams circling round my heart. And every time life was crushing them she was the sealing part. I think back now on the times, I cried, because I was hurt. And now that I am a big strong man Its my mother that I hurt. She is still the one I turn to when life gets out of hand. She takes me from the violent waters to set apon dry land. I'll never forget the times we've spent Lamenting oe'r the past. For the future thats ahead of us, is sure to everlast. Just so you know, you just inspired that. jason  [This message has been edited by Jacman (edited 07-31-2000).] |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
~Jon: Thanks Jon! My sister printed it out for him, and tucked it under his pillow ... she got her hug! ~Marge: I'll check on the "double-posting", but good idea Marge, thanks! I agree, and my nephew is turning into quite a responsible young man. He's my "surrogate child" or so he likes to joke, and I love him so! ~Sudhir: Thanks Sudhir! It was written after a long chat over the phone with my very frustrated sister. She said ... "I was never like that" ... so I happily reminded her she WAS! ~Ethome: Boy that sounds familiar Ethome, and your Grandfather sounds like a wonderful man ... you were very lucky! Thanks! ~Lovebug: Thank you Erica ... I sometimes feel like it was not that long ago for me, but ... sigh ...  ~Jason: Oh Jason! I couldn't be happier! That was fabulous ... and I want you to send it to her ... promise? Please? Thank you sooooo much, you are terrific! Much appreciation to all, /Kit |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Kit a great poem, much enjoyed. how I miss my teenage years.... I only lost them a few months ago. "I am melancholy, flower cutting through stone" manic street preachers |
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Marina Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245Pickering, Ontario |
Very well written Kit. Now if I could just remeber half the things I did asa teenager.......oh...yeah! I can......I just wanted to forget. Marina It is a blessing to have wings for words, and passion in pen Marina Crossley |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Kit, This is so well written and so true. How I remember many things that you brought out in this writing of yours. |
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Richard McDonald Junior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 29Queensland, Australia |
I'm still in those teenage years so It opened my eyes a bit and made me think of what I do so thank-you. "It's just a stage" Probably sums it up well. |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
I loved this.....my mother often told me that "someday" I would understand....how right she was ...but shhhhhhhhh don't tell her that!! Great writing~ |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Kit, this is really touching and true. We tend to forget how we felt going through those "tentative" years. I'm available for adoption, by the way |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Perfect Kit! Being a teen is hard...my own mother says she wouldn't be a teen again for anything. Exellent work, we can all relate in some way or another. *Krista Knutson* "You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back." -Barbara DeAngelis |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Having two teen boys of my own I CAN RELATE never say never |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
I'm not sure but ... I may have been a teen once ... hummm ... bell bottom pants ... paisley shirts ... shag cuts ... Woodstock ... was that the 60s or the 90s ... ? |
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