Aspirations

Focused, feisty teenage you,

no point in steering your fine ship.

All mapped ahead your journey planned,

you stand there with your hand on hip.

Your sixteen years are staring back.

Your boots are polished, gleaming black

and you my dear, in combat gear

are not prepared to take my flak.

What will the future hold for you?

With reservations, yet with pride,

I'm satisfied the choice is yours

as loud and clear your voice is heard.

What happened to my fragile bird,

that tiny brown-eyed feather light,

who sung her heart out in our nest?

She's grown, her future's looking bright.

Reviews

[¿]

Tis such an adorable poem!!...am sorry for being late in reaching to it...

Those hands holding our fingers learnt to walk...now taking care of us being a backbone...well that's what my mom says for me....for whomever you've written this is really lucky to have you Christine.....thanks for sharing this lovely piece...
Love and Hugs😊 :)

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Tahsin, this is about Beth our granddaughter. Thank you for your lovely response.

read moreHello Tahsin, this is about Beth our granddaughter. Thank you for your lovely response.

Chris

[¿]

Ah, lucky granddaughter!! You're heartedly welcome Chris :)

[Neville]

I am gaining such pleasure trawling back through your poetic portfolio Chris & finding such treasure here to .. this one is a little gem that made me smile because I have been there before too .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thrilled to bits Neville you are giving my old poems an airing while my lazy muse is amusing herself elsewhere. Thank you so much.

Chris

[emmajoy]

'What happened to my fragile bird, ~ that tiny brown-eyed feather light, ~ who sung her heart out in our nest?'

This really is a beautiful and very real piece of writing, Chris - made me tear up and smile same time.. not a pretty sight! My niece came to live with me aged seventeen, went through important pre.college, then uni exams and is now doing her own thing in her early twenties. Came a time when she did pretty well the same as your grand.daughter! But that's how it is, little birdies (tho Caro is a breath under 5.8!) do take off, do fly their own route and should. God willing they know love waits for them to return now and again.. ad infinitum.

You have the incredible skill of telling fact (or fiction) with restrained but natural emotion, create settings and more in the finest of meter and style. Not many can do that, dearling - brava!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em for such a wonderful response. Pleased you enjoyed this little poem.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha how i know that pose! i raised two daughters and two sons ..your poem reminds me of one of my fondest memories of my oldest...a daughter ... who at the very old and wise age of 13 ...posted this sign on her bedroom door ..."My room! My mess! My business!" ... along with a plump, pink piggy with snout in the air ... i just smiled, shook my head ... and walked away ..
absolutely love your poem .. it inspired such a clear picture of the scene .. enjoyed the very smooth rhyme and rhythm which as i am finding out, is a strong part of your voice... great first read for me this morning!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Mr E. Your story about your eldest daughter has me smiling and nodding in agreement, recognising all you have said. We have a "Keep Out" sign. Not so much of a please, just a plain directive. So pleased you enjoyed this read and it brought some happy memories back for you.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

we all do grow up one day eh!? ;) my other favorite quote from that same daughter came after we talked about decisions and the value of experience. I had asked her if she was going to build a house.... would she just blindly stumble through it herself or have a builder do it. She took a moment to think and after that dramatic pause said "Dad! Can you just let me make my own mistakes?" ... what can you say to that? ;} I just sighed ......... :)

[Gee]

I thought it would be a wrench not having our daughter " needing " us but it is with pride that we watch as she unfurls her wings and starts flying solo.
Loved this Christine

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Gee. We have to let those little birdies find their wings.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

Preparation is the key. Will be so proud to see them grow up but at the same time I will miss that innocence they share and the buoyancy of excitement going to primary school and saying daddy I love you. That sadly goes with adulthood to an extent. nice write

[Chris Shaw]

With a bit of luck they will continue to say "Daddy I love you". Thank you Andrew.

Chris

[Great Aunt Astri]

I love this poem! With it's bold flow, and interesting rhyming scheme. Children these days, most of them, are SO confident, we can but stand back and watch them sail away. I think you are right when you say 'the choice is yours', it is hard, but we have to let them go. Their world is very different from ours, but I suppose that has always been the case.( typo error ... 'she grown' should be 'she's grown' ?)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Astri, especially for mentioning the typo. Have fixed it. Appreciate very much your visit.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we don't want to let them go or grow up and out of our control...but we sure are proud when we see the mature people they grow into ...
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Hard letting those apron strings go, but we must allow them to find their own way. Thank you Jacob.

Chris

[sette]

this is one fitting tribute for a dear person in your life, your daughter or granddaughter probably

[Chris Shaw]

Yes sette, this is about our granddaughter, and we are proud of her. Thank you for your kind review. So much appreciated.

Chris