Hard love

A whipping earned, a lesson learned

Nothing wrong with a slap even if given with a strap

No plea, or hint only directive given, a spur into one's flanks driven

A demand, an order, a prod in the gut, a slap a firm kick in the butt

No metaphor, no second chance, a stern word, do it or dance

There are no threats only a promise made, a heavy hand to persuade

Each scar and shove a sign of love, Job never cursed his God above

Attempts not accepted, intentions are excepted, no try just do or die 

A stern tone a solemn word, before given wings, a fledgling bird

Tough love is shown, from a parent preparing a child to be on their own

Reviews

[RomaJ]

This is how my father raised us. He didn’t give warnings or lectures, just blood shot eyes of wrath and it followed with swift punches to the face and head, where you end up slammed to the wall.
He would literally beat the hell out of us.. he had this massive belt buckle that he used to beat us with.. sons and daughters, will all get it the same... we actually escaped him. I did hear he became senile or it could be dementia, but it seems he forgotten what an abusive b*****d he was . Once we escaped him, we never looked back.. but I did hear he's dead. He's probably buried in a public grave. no one else would claim his body.

But yes, discipline is necessary but let's hope the ones that hold this power to discipline does it with care and knows to differentiate it from child abuse.

Roma

[Soren]

Thank you Roma for your review. I knew this one would cause a fuss when I wrote it. Over correction in either direction is not good for the child. It seems that the key is consistency and the well being of the child not the wrath of the parent that comes into play. If this is the case strict or more lenient parenting can work depending on the nature of the child.

[RomaJ]

not at all. This is great and a very important subject. I'm old now, forties... this does not bother me at all. I think it's good to speak about these subjects. As a person who experience abuse as a child, it was a secret, we could never tell anyone. Not because of the old man.. I wish he went to jail for it. But we just kept it a secret for so long because we were afraid of being separated from eachother. That was the biggest fear to be separated from our siblings. I agree with all you said. It's a moving piece.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

In my generation, this was how it was...and I don't mind at all. Sure, I grew up with a little fear...but I also knew discipline and respect for my elders...and how to behave.
My dad would use the metaphor...Do you want me to slam your head right through that wall? But he never meant it literally...Still...I behaved.
Now I grew up and write poetry....my engineer dad would say...."Can you get a job in that?"

[Soren]

Thank you Jacob. yes I grew up in that same age and my father too issued such threats that were never challenged and yet we knew that there would be consequences. Abuse is not the issue but rather the intent to have the best interest of the child in mind not revenge or personal anger but what will build a strong person.

[yorkie]

good interesting and something I can believe . I wrote something along the same lines a few months ago.
I never mentioned any god though.

[Soren]

God in my mind and the poem a mythical illustration of a punisher in the case of Job. It is the job of the parent to have the best interest of the child in mind not personal anger but individual growth.