From Here
56
click below to hear me read this poem.
Once upon a time
met, married, and mated
for life
longevity a badge of honor worn
a union displayed strong
as a bronze plaque
tradition taught heavy
with guilt
as an institution, I whisper
wrong
no willing can right it
wrong unless this instance,
right
then no judge, nor I, can judge
decide inside and be wary
the good opinion of others
a life spent buying approval
gains what?
storerooms of dust
and if brother
you choose
unpin the badge
pull down the plaque
I will only smile if it mirrors yours
in your own time, of your own mind
my wish for you only
live happily ever after
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I shall and I am. thanks
Randy--I was so excited this morning when I work up and had an alert that you wrote another poem! Alas after reading these words and there is sadness speaking from it. 'a life spent buying approvals'. So true, Randy. I think sometimes that is all love is--acceptance and almost a lifetime living in constant approval mode--where is the satisfaction in that?
Well done, my friend. I hope my words find you safe and well -hugs-
The reward of approval is little recompense for inner turmoil, all the best to both. I only wish I did not know what you were, and possibly are going through.
A beautiful and powerful poem filled with heartfelt wishes and wisdom. Thank you :)
lovely..... a great poet
I wish the same good for you my fan,thanks for sharing this
wonderful poem!:)
I can relate to this to a certain extent and I am sure many of us can. I've been in relationships (not marriages) that garnered either disapproval from either my peers or family members but in which I believed wholeheartedly was right and so listened to the urges of my own heart.
Thank you again, RB for this wonderful and sensual poem.
Thanks MM. I wrote this one for my brother. My happily ever after is well under way :)
Thanks for stopping by CC!
Hi AIDY! It's sad to watch my brother go through the same thing I have. He's just a half a year behind me in doing it. Not fun.
Trooper, people are so eager to share their opinions on what you should do and how you should be feeling. Pleasing them is impossible and possibly detrimental.
Thank you Jess.
Thanks for stopping by Miss.
Thanks for the sweet comment Waren :)
Smart the man (or woman) who knows to listen to their own heart. I only got smart lately. Thanks for stopping by Dohn.
I stopped looking for approval long ago and that's when my life began. Very moving poem. Thanks.
Thanks for stopping by Alekhouse. I'm glad you figured it out faster than I.
*Sniff* For any of us who lived to please another.. and lost ourselves, this is our song. Now we know better, but oh, to recognize it should it happen again (and stop it).. you and I are so alike. I'm glad I found your hubs. They say what I wish I could! Thanks RB!
As usual, your words flow like a winding brook, arriving at their welcomed destination. I hope you are able to help your brother. I know you have been through it and perhaps you will be some comfort to him, as you are well on your way to YOUR welcomed destination.
Oh, yeah...HI!
Oh, don't be sad Candie! I just needed to write about what a "crock" the promise of the fairytale is and try and help my brother in the process. I'm glad you found my hubs too.
Well hello Chris of 100,000 views! :) I think learning to care less what others think has speeded me along to my happy place. Your comments are always an honor.
I love this picture! So gloomy...out of focus. This was a very touching poem. Especially the part you said, "a life spent buying approval gains what?" Marriage takes work. Requires the effort of both parties. Aside from that, maintaining a picture perfect for outsiders...The whole, "happily married". Sigh...that isn't always the case.
Thanks for the great comment. I thought that photo was fitting. I'm glad you came by Thanglynn.
Sorry for your brother RB! You expressed the feelings in a nice layout. Thanks.
Thanks for stopping by Shamel. I always enjoy your comments.
Still here, still loving your poems, my tide is turning ; )
Very informative and interesting!
Brilliant heart felt poem, yet the only people who seem to get it are the ones affected by trying to please everyone and meet their "standards".
Nice to see you are still about "Health Tip." Hope you are feeling well and staying out of mischief.
Thanks for the comment magdielqr.
Hi Leon nice to meet you! Thank you for coming by :)
Out of mischief, as if my friend !
Sometimes it becomes happily never after, had a wife and couldn't keep her.....Jack sprat who could bear no fat...
Jack looking for another Jill on the wrong side of the hill. Cinderella with corns and bunyons so bad that the slipper never fits...snow white eventually becoming snow white bone in her wait for that perfect kiss. Two divorced people living in the same house, times ten million houses nationwide. Matrimoaning, remember mar-r-i-age always has a mar in it to overcome, an I that isn't just you, and an age where it doesn;t mean anything anymore. enjoyed this in a cynical way.~~~MFB III
I'm just a touch cynical about marriage about now. Thanks for commenting in your word play way, always a joy.
The wrote words seemed plucked from the "Jane Erye" Era, a melancholy of ages, a distilled sublime wrought with disdain, yet... comprised of feelings undeterred by it all.. happiness can be... only when we dain it to be.
What a lovely comment. I am the definition of disdain these days, but also hopeful. Hopeful in the powerful nature of love, while full of distain for the institution that lives to shackle it.
Randy,
What can I say... inspired by your words... I think and hope that one day my writing could be as tactile to the soul as yours.
Awww, thanks EM. Its comments like yours that keep me trying to better my writing.
Mighty Mom 2 years ago
The decision seems obvious to me! But then, I'd have to say I've been absolutely swayed by the power of your words. I loved the cadence of this poem. Loved the repetition of words used in two different meanings within same line.
Brilliant (sorry can't be more eloquent at almost 1am on a school night!). Thumbs way up. And I hope the happily ever after happens ... soon. MM