Teach the children to comply,
to learn by rote, to master
the art of performance
encourage them to control
the chatter, their fidgets
behave like little adults
so as adults they may
struggle for authenticity
confuse society with audience
forgo instincts for crowd
pleasing responses – wonder
at the innocence of children.
Tenacious are we,
will not be derailed
by rock-hard inflexibility
nor disintegrating foundations
we endure, require little
in the way of adulation
or support, self-sufficient
warriors, timeless
we adhere to a call
of evolution, indestructible,
sustained by a productivity
and a steadfast will.
(Inspired by this photo taken at Coon’s Bluff, Tonto National Forest, Arizona.)
Aging, I am
and disabled,
unreliability
trending
Escape is proposed
my oozing scars
beg a stand
discover determination
This slumbering
has become impulsive
need discipline
to quiet the pain
I am whiny
self-mothering
counselling bedrest
prone to coddling
need to shake off
this disoriented
weakened state –
escaped is proposed.
It’s all about investment, really
life, I mean – make a deposit,
withdraw – hope that in the end
the gain is worth more than
the cost – a healthy balance.
Have been running deficits,
too focused on serving others,
practicing the art of giveaways –
incentives to capture attention
(affection too, if I’m honest.)
I’m every marketer’s dream –
impulsive, in the moment,
disbelieve that time is money –
illness having dumped time
on my lap in massive dollops
I’d say energy equates with
income, begets funds – all
redundant now, overdrawn
as I am, no safety deposit
securing balanced health.
She sprinkles her commentary
with spikes of criticism
like a bee intent on finding honey
but stinging instead
strikes hard at the heart of the matter
manages to counter my aspirations
all attempts to swat away her words
are weak – she is my mother
and my sentiments are clouded
her jabs bite, inflame
and despite my apparent maturity
reduce me to childish panic.
One Woman's Quest 