The Roles I've Played

My first attempt to make a simple rhyming scheme, but this is my life, and the roles I've played.

The Roles I've Played

The roles I've played are many,

Throughout my forty years.

Some I've done happily,

while others were fraught with tears.

I've been the dutiful son,

who worked beside his dad.

Worked in the garden, car, and the house

looking for approval that would never come.

I've been the big brother,

who helped when he could.

When they needed help, they didn't mind having me around

but would let years go by without uttering a sound.

I've been the protector for my mom,

let her move in with me when she wanted to run.

I listened when he said to protect her from everyone,

never ever believing that he was that one.

I've been the loving husband,

from beginning to end.

I've listened to her rage, taken the knife from her hand.

I still couldn't be the man she needed in the end.

I've been so deep in the pit,

the darkness seemed to drink in the light.

I looked at the rope dangling from the rafters.

That was my longest night.

I would like to live two more roles,

one I've never played before.

A loving father with kindness in his eyes,

smiling happily as his children walked in the door.

I'd be a loving husband,

I would play this role again.

A question we'd ask, “Where have you been?”

We'd both answer, “Just over the horizon, down the road,

out of sight, and around the bend.”

Author's Note

I wrote this because I felt it at the time.

Reviews

[Silent Serenity also kn..]

Talk about opening up a window into your soul.....As much as we love our family I have learned that disappointments, unappreciation and running you over with a steam roller is part of family life....you don't see it until I guess we are older when our tired bodies and experiences have all come into play....I really enjoy this piece so much I have read it 3 times already....have such a smooth flow to it and speaks volumes not only for your life but so many out there....I think there are many that can relate......I hope you one day enjoy your last two roles still yet to live and I especially love this last part “Just over the horizon, down the road, out of sight, and around the bend.”
Thank you for sharing .... your talent always grasps my interest :)

[aneeqa]

You sound like a gentleman, sir..nice work, the title reminded me of Shakespeare's "seven stages of man"though both are different from each other....... 2nd stanza touched my heart though I am not that dutiful.......great work....

[annabellee]

you're so talented.
this is excellent. thank you for sharing sth that personal.
well done and I wish you that you'll get to play those two roles :)

[Sami Khalil]

A confessional type of write...Thank you for sharing...:).........................