The signs of life.

Shut up and speak

only when spoken too.

Keep moving,

one way, one rule.

Well! Well! Well!

You've made it this far have we!

Okay! just merge into the background.

Its the end of the road.

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'The signs of life'
andrew michell,
As adults we can see, elaborate, analyze what we want to carry with us from our own upbringing and not. Particularly how we may view the world-people around us through youth's lens. Into the early fifties some of what you intimate above was stilll seen quite a bit. I also feel that it taught kids to be respectful, humble..it was a different world. I remember running loose outside..playing, barefoot. walking alone..safely.
Blessings,
Kathy

[andrew mitchell]

Thank you Kathy for a lovely review.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Your welcome Andrew, bless you today in your life and work. Kathy

[Einstein Noodle]

we were brought up that way Andrew .. not in meanness in any way .. it was respectful ;) i am lucky that along with keeping me yap shut i remember good home cooking, and family prayer before meals, and being stronger because we came together in such a way .. things have changed haven't they!?
but ...your poem ... we can so easily be "A Nation of Sheep" (Willian Lederer) ... read that book back in the 60s ... it fed me rebellion ;))))))))))))
we get in line ... keep our mouths shut .. fade to grey ... a very tragic refrain that poisons change that many times is needed badly ... lots of memories sparked ... gave me thought to think about my friend!
E.

[andrew mitchell]

Thanks Gene I know where you are coming from ,but there was a fear there of doing wrong and getting whacked lol which inhibited me telling my folks how i really felt until i was way into adulthood. It was good but walking on egg shells lol. Thanks Gene.

[Einstein Noodle]

yeh! that's the danger of that isn't it ... stuffing our thoughts and feelings can be a very destructive thing that some of us never overcome ;(

[andrew mitchell]

I think the parents missed out!

[Einstein Noodle]

i think so my friend ... very much so :)

[Alistair (Ali)]

As true as a smack in the face....really.
Just turned 49....have no idea how I got here.

[andrew mitchell]

thanks Ali, it does creep up one minute 40 next you're over 50. 3 months of this year gone already!

[Alistair (Ali)]

I know Mate!...I must have been asleep!

All the best!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i was told this a lot as a kid...be seen not heard...
not great advice...grew up thinking what i had to say was quite un-important.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Yes I too was told. I don't think that was the right way to go.Kills freedom of expression, to grow and to be open with the parents but that was how it was! Thanks J.