Children, learn the days are few

b"h

23 Aug 2013

Children, learn the days are few

Before the years upon you fall

And life -- responsibility -- turns to --

And then your innocence -- like all

Other childhood illusions -- fades.

Children, learn how seem your days

To be forever -- now -- but truth

To face: There comes and end to youth.

Demands as these demand in vain

Of course; who is the child who

Will an old man listen to?

None.  And that's how it must remain.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Strangely I find this almost reckless, as if age is warning youth in an uncontrolled way. Guess the style of the broken meter takes over in parts.. yet, even more strangely, that seems right. Have read this three times, twice aloud - it has an almost scriptual touch to it, ' Children, learn how seem your days
To be forever -- now .. '

[Firestone Feinberg]

I absolutely adore your perception that there is some recklessness to this piece. That idea adds a whole new dimension to my own understanding of the poem. It is so interesting to me how each review is so different from the others. It actually thrills me! Thanks Emma for writing to tell me your special ideas and perceptions! --D

[Relic]

We don't appreciate youth until its gone, and that's a shame. The young ones never seem to learn from those older until they themselves are older. Good poem.

[Firestone Feinberg]

Thank you Relic for your review. i do know one young man who appreciates his youth. but he is a rare one. Take care. --D

[SquinklaPsyOps]

This sounds kind of interesting.

It feels a bit poetic with the words you chose.

You are right when your little kids make mistakes you pay the price.

[Firestone Feinberg]

Thank you for readin and reviewing.

[SquinklaPsyOps]

What ever.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

reminds me of McCartney's song "listen to what the man said"

when we are young we think we are invincible...we will live forever...but days are precious and we don't learn that until we get older and time seems to be going so much faster.

jacob

[Firestone Feinberg]

thanks for your review, Jacob. Yep. The knowledge that the days go too fast is reserved for those with too many days past... whatcha gonna do? peace, david

Posted 0 Seconds Ago

[Rose of many colours]

I would like to see more of these. It's a great write.

[Firestone Feinberg]

Thank you, Rose. How kind of you to write. I'm very happy you liked reading the poem. Take care. --David

[bobc]

D...in the last stanza, are you saying the child doesn't listen to an old man or is the old man not listening to the child? I think it's the former but it wasn't clear to me. Good piece, btw...bobc

[Firestone Feinberg]

The former -- I also wrestled with it -- was it clear or not? Then I realized that in standard English the 'who' at the end of the line would have to be 'whom' if I meant the latter. Glad you liked it. Thanks. --D

[bobc]

I did not know that. Not only a good poet...a grammarian too. Thanx...bobc

[Frieda P]

You never think of time when you're a kid, it seems endless. It's when we get older that time flies by like a speeding bullet.............! I've never been an old man, so I can't attest to this one. ;-) Muchly enjoyed David.

[Firestone Feinberg]

You said it! And what do you mean you've never been an old man? What about in one of your former lives? Haha. You don't like that idea do you? a MAN -- Heaven forbid! Love ya, D

[Frieda P]

Haha I don't remember having cahunas but it's possible I guess. Who loves ya baby? ;-)

[Firestone Feinberg]

haha......