Generational Spread

(how times have changed)

When I consider Alice and Martha

I am reminded they dwelt in days

where open displays of affection

for offspring were frowned upon.

My great grandmothers appeared distant

stayed aloof. Without doubt I respected

their age and wisdom but truthfully

even though they were both kind

as well as refined, I was a trifle afraid

of them.

I cradle my new born great grandson 

within my arms, completely charmed

by his tiny frame, his shock of thick black

trace of a wave hair and windy half smile.

I raised his father and for a while

I reflect on how quickly the time has gone.

Twenty five years grown, he towers over

me, his son cushioned on my knee while

a sense of deja vue filters through.

I give thanks that we as a family

are far more open, unafraid to express

our emotions, unafraid to show that we

care for each other in times of happiness,

or despair and that stiff upper lip of yesteryear

is lost like daydreams in wafer thin air. 

Reviews

[cheyenne summer garcia]

that sounds like a lovely life you have. i could day dream of a couple close friends and together times myself. i am alone a lot of the time. i do not express my feelings extrovert very often. mostly simple cheekt talk. passerby. but when i have those moments of realization and wholeness i feel more and more healthy and safe.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your visit to my page. Pleased to see you here. I was most interested in your thoughts.

Chris

[cheyenne summer garcia]

well done. is writing your hobby ? i am a fan of yours. would like to see more. good work.

[Chris Shaw]

I certainly love poetry. Delighted to have you as a fan. I have many poems posted on this site if you would like to read more. Really appreciate your visit. Thank you.

[cheyenne summer garcia]

you are welcome. keep up the good work.

[Beccy]

I recall, distantly now, my grandpa telling me of his early years. How aside from strict parents, he was surrounded by stern, gimlet eyed aunts and uncles of unbending Welsh Presbyterian persuasion; hugs and cuddles completely alien to them.

Times have indeed changed, and in this aspect, for the better.

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Beccy. Not everything changes for the better, but this one is is certainly one to be welcomed.

Chris

[Dave]

It is a shame that so many have difficulty expressing their love. You have such a strong ability to do it and I admire you for it. I believe that LOVE is the most precious and most powerful of emotions and you express yours so beautifully.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for this lovely review. A life without love would be a sad one indeed. I am blessed.

Chris

[¿]

Could you predict that will we 21st's buds witness our next generation in such a hale state? Well among the certain changes of earth including highly rising heat, we may not. You and your family enjoyed and are enjoying ever great time, am sure there have been small ups and downs to hardships but unity is all what evevry situation asks to get solved! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely changes! Hope you're well, love and bless :)

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Tahsin for your visit and your thoughts. Good to see you, it's been a while. Hope all is good in your life.

Chris

[¿]

Am so trying to have everything back in good, you're very welcome dear Chris, happy days, love and hugs xx

[barleygirl]

There are too many delights to mention! Love feeling how it feels (your impressions) being in such a generational spread (no kids here, so the way it feels is a mystery to me!) Love how you mention the lack of affection from yesteryear, must coincide with those frowny brown pics, huh? Even if we bemoan the state of the world these days, you remind us to be glad things have changed for the better in many ways that we forget to count! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Margie and I love your new avatar. Yes, there is much wrong with the world, but at least we can give our kids and grandkids a hug if we want to. And the best thing is if we get one back which certainly makes my day. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[gram linski]

great poem, Chris, aye the older generation were a bit stoic and stand offish in their affections, it's a good thing that you have that bond with both generations

[Chris Shaw]

I'm so glad I can give my grandkids a hug and it's even nicer to get one back. Thanks gram, appreciate your thoughts and your visit.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

I can't ever remember my mother hugging or holding me, of course there are no fond memories there, and i never knew my grandmothers so to hold childen especially my grandchildren is something very wonderful, they are gifting me with love and i gifting them .... nothing more precious than my grandchildren. Oddly enough i live in a very rough area but sometimes i get the younger girls zooming in on me arms wide to give me a hug .... i don't know why this happens but they all know my name and i just love it lol.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Stella, your warm heart shines through here. What you lacked as a child you will ensure others don't. It is truly wonderful how much joy you get from those cuddles from your grandchildren and those other young girls where you live. There's nothing like a cuddle is there. Thank you for checking this one out.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

My mother was raised that way very stiff upper lip she went to boarding school and was from the "children should be seen but not heard" stock. Some of that has bled into me (tho I am all love sort of fluffy bunny) I do at times have a tendency to not emote:) It is an internal tug of war the Public displays of affection element was something that was always frowned upon so it is instilled in me and if I do it i always have this tinge of guilt afterwards like my grandmother was watching me:? It's funny how this poem evoked some of those memories for me

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Bunny for your visit and sharing your story. I can still remember being at great grandma Martha's house and being too frightened to speak :) I am more than happy to see the changes and to feel the difference as well within my own family. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Franky]

Thank goodness those days are disappearing! Good riddance. I like hugs and affection! Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Frankie, appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Cassie]

wow!!!! This has a drizzle of happiness, its like you have added some sugar on the cake, a child is such a blessing and your poem here shows every emotion of joy and love that you have. Kisses to the champ

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you lovely Cassie for your visit and encouragement. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Fay Slimm]

Thanks Chris for sharing your wonderful news and many congrats. on having a great-grandson - -times most certainly are a-changing and the Then and Now is spelt out in your loving account with such tender skill - - I have to say I prefer this change as hugs means so much to a family trying to cope with today's busy life - freedom to show emotion would certainly surprise dear Martha and Alice who had to keep such feelings inside. A beautifully written poetic welcome to the precious addition that no doubt the family will keep and treasure.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Fay, thank you for your lovely review. Poor Alice and Martha really missed out on all those hugs and kisses didn't they? Not all change is for the better, but our attitude towards showing our emotions instead of stifling those feelings has got to be an improvement. Thank you for your congrats. My new g grandson is adorable. Have a lovely day. Hope the gale force winds aren't battering your coastline too much.

Chris