This is a half-true story.
SINS OF OMISSION
My parents said - I thought it truth -
one never should mis-spend one's youth,
and so I got my homework done
and academic honours won,
but in the process, left behind
the boys with One Thing on their mind.
It really is no use pretending
there's any youth left for mis-spending.
Now I'm forty, I repent
that all that youth was not mis-spent.
And what makes it twice the shame?
Unspent, the youths all said the same.
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Written by Brett (1009 comments posted) 26th April 2008 |
Excellent, V. You just get better all the time. A very poignant piece, and again that killer line to end.
ps - almost as good as your prologue!
Cheers |
Oh yes!
Written by Katanga (1554 comments posted) 26th April 2008 |
I thoroughly agree with Brett - and, yes, what a stonker of a last line!
Who was it who said "Of all sad words, the saddest are these - 'it might have been'"?
I think you've summed it up - gives me goose pimples.
Cheers! John X |
Written by Phil (7014 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
Forty too. While I have no regrets, as such, there are certain opportunities I perhaps should have taken up. In the dimming flush of middle age, those opportunities are unlikely to pass my way again - and of course - youthful abandon is no longer an excuse to behae badly or recklessly.
I liked this - as much for the content as its delivery. Not bitter or twisted - just a little wistful.
Phil |
Written by NathanRoberts (277 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
It seems advice is all the rage
so: don't mis-spend your middle age
those boys you knew turned into men
but nothing much has changed for them
leave regretful thoughts behind
- enjoy that One Thing on their mind
while you still can.
 |
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3590 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
Lovely little poem and so well expressed. The tone was just the right side of didactic for me. And as for the sentiment, well, you're never to old to be immature, as they say
cheers
jane |
Nice one, Nathan!
Written by Veronica_Milvus (769 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
But life's moved on, while I have tarried
We're all to old, too frit - too married! |
Omission?
Written by Katanga (1554 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
As you know, I really rate this Veronica . . .
But I ain't half tempted to write a parody, entitled:
The Sins of Emission
Ho! Cheers! John X
Ps Nocturnal or Otherwise. |
Written by Veronica_Milvus (769 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
Strangely, Katanga, you are not the first person to have suggested this... my point is, there was none!
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Point Taken!
Written by Katanga (1554 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
As it were . . . Ooooooh! Mrs!
Ho! How jolly our banter . . . One of us will no doubt post a real downer soon - Let's enjoy the uplift while we may - "Gathering buds in May!" Tra- la. 
I shall now try your back-catalogue . . .
Sorry - I'm insufferable, especially as it's Monday morning in less than an hour and a half's time, and I have to bring my wild romantic meanderings firmly back to Earth! X |
Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 28th April 2008 |
Another thought-provoking piece. I'm ambivalent about this. I wish my parents were more "hip" and "modern" kind of people who encouraged me to travel, be more adventurous, explore possibilities etc, but I don't hold it against them. They were in a survival mode when I was growing up. Now that I am a parent, I want my child to learn to take risks, be courageous, not be afraid of failure etc. But I am also worried about so many pitfalls young people today can fall into when they experiment, drugs, STI's, teenage pregnancy, teenage gangs etc etc. If only I can give my child the wisdom I've learned in my life! Mis-spent is not good, unspent is even worse.
Mia  |
Un-spent
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 30th June 2008 |
Almost Biblical -- or was it Barbara Cartland and her ilk ? Nope , more in the Victorian pornfields perhaps
Chastely suggestive
patterjack |
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