Tuesday, December 26, 2006

A Seedless Apple

He rattled on about
the accomplishments of his father,
not once did he mention any of his own.
He rode “dad’s” stories
like a show horse jumping rails:
“Back in ‘83 he went and did this…”
“I know he told you about the time…”
The anecdotes pranced, whirled in a circle,
perfectly trained, perfectly mimicked.
He wasn’t stealing, or borrowing
it was the only life he knew.

28 comments:

Kai said...

:-]

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

there are many people that seem to live through other's lives. interesting.

floots said...

this is so well observed pat
cheers

Anonymous said...

Sad, in a strange sort of way.

Anonymous said...

This title works so well . . .

Anonymous said...

This poem nicely catches a moment in time that we are probably all familiar with.

polona said...

you make me feel sorry for this guy... he could be another character in that potential story.
great stuff as always, pat!

ann said...

I may not live in the glory of my family, but I can't deny I bask in the glory of my grandchildren, but yes I kinda know it well.

It's how others see me....

I am so and so's ex, oh you're Jon's mother, Jamie's mum.... is Ray your brother, wow... we knew your father... are you related to the Ravens who... you must be Rachel's mother, she looks like you.... hmmm!

ah... but in blogdom you know only me... you know, me Ann... huh! LOL

lotsa luv ann xxxx

Anonymous said...

This really is well done.

Lady SunShine said...

this is kinda sad that he has to live through his fathers tales and dosen't create some of his own
very well written

Margie said...

So well written, Pat!

Margie

MB said...

Interesting observation, Pat. Seems many people have difficulty living their own lives fully.

Anonymous said...

Well done. It reminds me of someone I know.

Anonymous said...

2nd hand living, it's the han-me-down thing gone wrong.

Anonymous said...

interesting post, Pat.

maybe his father's shadow was too long. :)

Anonymous said...

How sad! astute life observation, Pat.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. I'm more familiar with a Father living through his son.

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

it is the details that raise the bar in your poetry! Seedless Apple did not fall so far....

Anonymous said...

your title is perfect. just stopping by to wish you wishes for the new year!

trinitystar said...

Telling stories.
Perhaps we all creat stories daily.
hugs for you
:o)

Neoma said...

very, very sad. So many parents are so interested in their own accomplishments they fail to notice their children's. I have known a few of these....

Children develope a sense of their own worth through praise, not criticism. Some parents never learn this.

Pat Paulk said...

Thank you Kai!!

Andrew, it's sad when father's can't figure out how to give their children their own lives.

Thanks Floots!!

Richard, yes it is!!

Thanks Julia!! I was wondering if it really would, now I know.

Thanks Joyce!!

Polona, then I was successful in my writing. Thank you!!

And Ann is all we want to know!! I think we're all somebody's something. The problem is when somebody else is all we've got.

Doughnutjane, thank you!!

Thank you ladysunshine!! It really is, and more prevelent than one would think. Some men's ego's is the only legacy they leave.

Thanks Margie!!

Thanks Mary Beth!! Some definitely do.

Thanks Margo!! I think I'm sorry for them.

Inconsequential, very well put!!

Dsnake, it was!! Thank you!!

Thanks GEL!!

That's sad too Vaughn. I hope it's not you.

Corey, thank you very much!!

Meander, thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a very happy new year!!

Thanks Trinitystar!! All hugs are greatly appreciated!!

Nea, you are very right!!

Borut said...

Yes, it's kind of sad. Some fathers simply outshine their sons!?

sage said...

I hope he'll one day have his own stories.

Nice observations--reading this i recall that old picture of two kids in over-alls, with their thumbs in the suspenders, one asking the other, "So, how long you been farming..."

Anonymous said...

pat

this piece is tuly wonderful
well done

Anonymous said...

Not at all, but I've seen it a number of times (especially in movies and TV).

Anonymous said...

This says so much in so few words!

Interesting!

Sue hardy-Dawson said...

So cleverly shown-with so much beyond the words