Once, When I Was A Lad

Lesson 2: Terza Rima

My mother raised me -- best she can,
shared lessons that a mother sees;
she taught her boy to be a man.

I learned to say a thank you, please;
to not be rude, but be polite,
and say, "Excuse me," when I sneeze.

So, if I may or if I might,
I'd care to share this tale I had;
my youthful eye caught quite a sight.

There was once when I was a lad;
a kid of twelve trips 'round the sun,
who did what he knew must be bad.

For men remember young deeds done,
the times when naughty might be seen ...
those thoughts of puberty begun.

I found a Playboy magazine ...
just took a look -- not really read;
pubescent boy becoming teen

who whispers timid secrets said,
about those things behind closed doors,
were hidden well -- far 'neath his bed.

But, please don't judge -- a boy explores
these memories, should be forgot --
I was a tot with pimpled pores.

And yes, one morn I did get caught,
confronted by my mama bare.
For life, I've tried to shake this thought ...

'cause in the doorway standing there,
as naked as the day she's born ...
my mom! I did not want to stare.

Her hand held pages worn 'n torn,
surprised, my eyes at how she's built --
she looked just like the girls in porn!

So, looking down in shame and guilt ...
for a moment I did struggle;
my manhood, then, began to wilt ...

with thoughts of cyc'ling Oedipal.
If only Sophocles could see,
she's proudly homosexual;

so very beautiful to me.
I cleared my head and grew on up,
appreciate how men should be.

Now, when we talk and share a cup,
a laugh for all our lifetime's span ...
those years since when I was a pup.

Respect is what's required of man ...
my mother raised me -- best she can.

2022

Author's Note

This is a true story. My mother came out of the closet shortly after this. She may have been trying to make a statement. I exaggerated the bit about Oedipus, of course.

Terza Rima is an Italian form of poetry developed in the 13th century. The middle rhyme carries to the next tercet and there are a few different endings to choose from. I went with a couplet, finished with my first line. It can be written in iambic tetrameter, as I did (8 syllables) or pentameter. I was given a title to write for and when I received it, this memory was triggered. Thanks a lot Richard!! (Really)

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Interesting tale of your youth, quite honest and raw. It must have been a bit shocking to a boy in puberty, and brave of your mother to do this….then later learn that she was gay. The style I which you wrote it was also quite interesting. It’s not every day that a mother stands bare in front of her son. I liked the piece very much…it had a lot of “ meat”.
Best
B.

[William Michael Reeves]

It was a rather shocking moment. The naked truth of it didn't dawn on.me till I was an adult. Thanks Betty.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome WM
Best,
B.

[W. Barrett Munn]

This was a nice way to depersonalize an event that could be embarrassing for the reader if strictly relayed.

[William Michael Reeves]

I like that thought. Writing about a personal experience depersonalizes the experience. You may have something there Mr. Munn.

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello Williams.
"Respect is what's required of man ...
my mother raised me -- best she can."
I loved the complete poem. The above lines. I did like and I understood. All we can do, is the best we can. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[William Michael Reeves]

That was how Robert Frost ended his Terza Rima that I read as an example. He brought the beginning to the end. Poetic gold! Thanks Coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed and you are welcome William.

[heavenscentgirl1]

A WELL WRITTEN DESCRIPTIVE POEM. OF A. YOUNG LAD GROWING UP AND I AM SURE YOU ARE NOT THE. ONLY BOY TO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE ACT. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORY YOU RASCAL. HSG😇

[William Michael Reeves]

I'm sure my mother will say that ... what a rascal for writing that! I did feel that many young men had a similar experience so not too embarrassing. Thanks, She who is sent from Heaven. Read you soon

Bill

[Aura]

That is quite a way to teach someone a lesson. Thats... extreme, but a crazy memory to look back on. Glad you learned your lesson though, and incredibly brave for you to write it into a poem and share it too!

[William Michael Reeves]

I might agree with brave. I haven't brought mom's attention to it yet. She's gonna kill me ... with laughter! As to having learned my lesson ....

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Amazing share here and wow what a shock you must of got that cold morning
Anyway it’s brave to share this and was written well at least you can look back and laugh now

[William Michael Reeves]

Yeah, we became friends after she came out and could be herself. Coincidence that it's Pride month and I wrote this. She'd approve. Thanks Julie.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Good 👍 I’m glad 😀

[lightsong]

I DON'T ever to be in that PLACE! I feel You Mr. Bill, oh so good You got over that lol.... Don't worry about the Oedipus thing, it's only a name to make people believe it lol besides, the Mother's is the first love of the Son, so the Father's for the daughter. Anyway, hopefully we won't stuck in this Mother's or Father's issues for SO LONG. good You did not. Wonderful wonderful poem! You always turn some interesting idea into a great poem, though this one is far from Richards' (Once, when I was a lad) if I'm not mistaken he has a poem with the same tittle.

[lightsong]

A+ 😂😂😂😂

[William Michael Reeves]

Gosh, gee! Thank you. I just recited this last night to friends and got real laughter. That was pretty satisfying. Not quite as good as making someone cry, but almost. My mom might cry though. Tears of mirth. I'll turn her attention to it. Thanks (I got a B)

[lightsong]

Say Hi to your lovely Mom 💗

[John the Baptist]

Too bad Freud is dead. God knows what he would have made out of this one.

[William Michael Reeves]

Would have made me lay back on the couch, and probably post his notes here on the cafe.