The Family Next Door
A child's lament39 total reviews
Comment from January L'Angelle
As a parent, (I only have one son) I always tried to see things through his eyes. I think that your parents couldn't see that you really had a keen eye for the absurd. Most kids would not pay attention to the "differences" between families. You did. I think that's your artists eye. I love your descriptions of the card table and the chipped dishes. All of this was really great! Loved it! -January L.
reply by the author on 19-Jun-2020
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As a parent, (I only have one son) I always tried to see things through his eyes. I think that your parents couldn't see that you really had a keen eye for the absurd. Most kids would not pay attention to the "differences" between families. You did. I think that's your artists eye. I love your descriptions of the card table and the chipped dishes. All of this was really great! Loved it! -January L.
Comment Written 19-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jun-2020
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January, thank you, the keen eye has been both a blessing at at times a curse. I love that you approach things in life as your fortunate son sees things, that is true parenting, kudos!
Comment from Joan E.
I appreciated your childhood comparisons of your family and your next-door neighbors. Your rhymed tercets are effective in capturing your emotion. Best wishes in the contest- Joan
reply by the author on 19-Jun-2020
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I appreciated your childhood comparisons of your family and your next-door neighbors. Your rhymed tercets are effective in capturing your emotion. Best wishes in the contest- Joan
Comment Written 18-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jun-2020
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Joan thank you very mcu.
Comment from royowen
Yes, we talk about love thy neighbour, but how many of us avctually practise it, not too many I'd venture to say. Beautifully written Jim, I love the scrumptious, rattle work my friend. Beautifully written, an excellent post, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 19-Jun-2020
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Yes, we talk about love thy neighbour, but how many of us avctually practise it, not too many I'd venture to say. Beautifully written Jim, I love the scrumptious, rattle work my friend. Beautifully written, an excellent post, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 18-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jun-2020
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Roy, thanks much, may the breeze be lite, the sun just right all this Father's Day weekend for you!
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Thanks and be ble
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
A child will compare another's home to her own, and sometimes finds a huge difference. The have's and have not's are mor noticeable to children, especially if their's in the have nots. This was a really good poem for the contest. Well done and good luck. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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A child will compare another's home to her own, and sometimes finds a huge difference. The have's and have not's are mor noticeable to children, especially if their's in the have nots. This was a really good poem for the contest. Well done and good luck. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 18-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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Sandra, I thank you for reading and commenting on this poem.
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You are most welcome. I'm glad my review wasn't up for a review with all those errors in it!! lol.
Comment from nomi338
This poem resonates with me. I have known both sides of this. When we were a complete family, our table at every meal, actually seemed to groan under the weight of the dishes placed upon it. Later, after our family shattered and most went their own way, there was the shoddy paper plate with spare portions of hastily cooked inferior portions of food. Worse yet, gone was the joy, the love, the smiling faces and happy conversation. Later, there was just the quick consumption of the meal if it could truly be called that and then hurried departure to where ever as you tossed your paper plate into the trash.
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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This poem resonates with me. I have known both sides of this. When we were a complete family, our table at every meal, actually seemed to groan under the weight of the dishes placed upon it. Later, after our family shattered and most went their own way, there was the shoddy paper plate with spare portions of hastily cooked inferior portions of food. Worse yet, gone was the joy, the love, the smiling faces and happy conversation. Later, there was just the quick consumption of the meal if it could truly be called that and then hurried departure to where ever as you tossed your paper plate into the trash.
Comment Written 18-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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Nomi, we are indeed kindred spirits. thank you, as always for your honest words.
Comment from rjuselius
This is a beautifully crafted piece of poetry dear anonymous! I feel you have gone through tough times but if it is living also with love, I think the heartache will turnaus to better.
Thank you for sharing!
Good luck!
Blessings and a humongous hug-it-out hug!
Rebekka x
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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This is a beautifully crafted piece of poetry dear anonymous! I feel you have gone through tough times but if it is living also with love, I think the heartache will turnaus to better.
Thank you for sharing!
Good luck!
Blessings and a humongous hug-it-out hug!
Rebekka x
Comment Written 18-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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Rebekka, thank you. Hugs back..
Comment from thaities, Rebecca V.
This is a lovely and strong entry for the Childhood writing prompt. It should do very well in the contest. I wish you the very best luck.
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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This is a lovely and strong entry for the Childhood writing prompt. It should do very well in the contest. I wish you the very best luck.
Comment Written 18-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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Thanks so much!
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You're welcome.
Comment from kahpot
An excellent read, this poem flows wonderfully as it tells a story of how different things look through a child's eye, very well written and best wishes for your contest****kahpot
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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An excellent read, this poem flows wonderfully as it tells a story of how different things look through a child's eye, very well written and best wishes for your contest****kahpot
Comment Written 18-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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kahpot, thanks!
Comment from Lobber
hello,
what a fascinating topic and words to go with it...Well done! ... reminds me of a year I invited a stranded college New England student home with me for the Xmas season. He would have been stuck in the dorm eating "somethings" from the cafeteria...my mid-West fare had to better...right? Actually, it was overkill!...too much for him...both visually and beyond the palette. "It's impossible to put that much food on the table." Not really. Just omit all plates and silverware. Thank you for the memory jog.
- Lobber
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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hello,
what a fascinating topic and words to go with it...Well done! ... reminds me of a year I invited a stranded college New England student home with me for the Xmas season. He would have been stuck in the dorm eating "somethings" from the cafeteria...my mid-West fare had to better...right? Actually, it was overkill!...too much for him...both visually and beyond the palette. "It's impossible to put that much food on the table." Not really. Just omit all plates and silverware. Thank you for the memory jog.
- Lobber
Comment Written 17-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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Hey good friend, thanks much for the wonderful six-points but your shared perspective,
Comment from Mary Hollingsworth
Author these kind of presentations take me back to my younger days as well. Someone would say will you pass the chicken please. There's nothing like a good old Southern table with bowls filled with a variety of good home cooked recipies. And yes there were families that were more fortunate than other families but one thing that was a strong foundation was that we all sat down at the table together. Thanks for sharing the food made me hungry but the memory made me smile.
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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Author these kind of presentations take me back to my younger days as well. Someone would say will you pass the chicken please. There's nothing like a good old Southern table with bowls filled with a variety of good home cooked recipies. And yes there were families that were more fortunate than other families but one thing that was a strong foundation was that we all sat down at the table together. Thanks for sharing the food made me hungry but the memory made me smile.
Comment Written 17-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2020
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Mary, thank you for sharing your wonderful comments and I am pleased you had a smile.
