Path of Life

Words for a friend

We hold them close,

As we give them life.

With the first breath of air,

And the scream of pain.

Then they grow up,

And oh so proud.

Looking to see how high

They can reach in the sky.

Along the way they find their path,

But you seem to be left behind.

Looking to see how far they reached,

As they waved goodbye.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

We can not have them with us forever...though part of our hearts follow them where ever they go. Written with paternal love. Very sweet. Lydi**

[Willard Wells]

I find myself looking to my adventures as I said good bye to my mother and father. Only now looking back to I see some to the pain I expect I gave to them. But they had done the same thing when younger. Leaving family and heading out to find their fortune. Thanks for visiting and commenting.

[AaronFreitas]

Awesome wording... people come into our life and leave but always with memories always with shared knowledge. Sometimes all we can do is say good bye and know that they understand our love and that we will always be there for them. Awesome words :)

[Willard Wells]

Thank you Aaron for your time and comments on my work. I am glad you liked it.

[Deeps]

Touching......beautiful poem written with great grace

[Willard Wells]

Thank you so much for your time in reading my work and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Alisa Js]

Aloha,

This one is filled with wisdom and pain.

I wonder why it is that more children don't appreciate the sacrifices their parents made for them? And, why aren't we as a society taught to respect our elders more? My father was in his fifties when I was born and I remember how many people thought he was my grandfather...and would make cruel jokes.

I was offended as a child, now as an adult I am incensed at the memory..as I know now, those pea brains weren't taught right and merely reflected the ignorance of their parents.

Sadly so.

Alisa😞

[Willard Wells]

Unfortunately we have a large populace of the "Me" generation. I feel if people were more connected as family, there would be less violence in the world. Thank you for reading my work and commenting.

[Alisa Js]

You are correct ...it starts with the family...and right value system, which sadly has denigrated severely in this country for all the wrong reasons in the name of political correctness.


Alisa

[Willard Wells]

And the all mighty dollar.

[Alisa Js]

Yes, indeed...

[mattavelli]

This is beautiful, Willard. They should a least call. Haha

[Willard Wells]

To many members of the "ME" generation. Narcissism is alive and well in our 50 States of America. The new way to live your life, for yourself and no one else. Sounds rather cynical I expect. Other cultures as you well know treat family with respect and reverence. Here in the USA often it is just a matter of when the family will be kicked to the curb. Only to be used and I mean Used. Thanks for visiting my soap box and commenting. It's always appreciated.

[Perkele.7885]

"Along the way they find their path,
But you seem to be left behind.
Looking to see how far they reached"
These are the lines that ring the loudest; esp. the second one(but, you seem to be left behind)
The children have moved on saying "we'll have a good time then Dad, we'll have a good time then".

[Willard Wells]

Harry Chapin, which I could use as music behind this piece. I am glad you enjoyed it Perk. Thank you for your review.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Gosh can I relate to this one Willard. In three short verses from birth to flying the nest in nice pithy descriptive stanzas.

[Willard Wells]

Thank you John. I had talked to a friend about their child and even with this piece bringing some tears, she thanked me. Sometimes reading the truth on paper can allow the release of some of your pain. IMHO. Greatly appreciate you reading and commenting.

[KWP]

yes nice real nice ... never left behind ... just floating onward ... only to meet again X

[Willard Wells]

When I look at this picture it reminds me of an old "Twilight Zone" about going down the path to fine Heaven or hell. In the picture you can go up to the mountain or continue down the path and see where it leads. The fun part of the picture is it was taken to the side of the Virginia City Cemetery in Nevada.(Boot Hill if you will) It was like those that build it those many years ago had the same thought for the path. Thank you for visiting and commenting. Greatly appreciated.

[ANTO]

Will apart from the two instances of the word 'proud', this is a great montage of a family - birth then the children achieving and then maturing and leaving the nest and spreading their wings.
You've truly broken free of your 17 syllable restraints now my friend.

[Willard Wells]

Well I have found a few extra words laying around that I was able to pull together. I will look at the words as mentioned. As you I expect know by now I am not a literary giant. Just lots of energy and a computer. Thank you for your kind words and suggestions.

[ANTO]

I always found the most basic (ie common word) poems had the biggest impact Will to be honest mate. Convey the feeling and Im a happy bunny no matter the size of the words. I left school aged 16 myself. Fell in love with words.
You're welcome my friend.

[Willard Wells]

Well it was a quick fix and I have written in one form or another my whole life. When I was 19 and a computer programmer I was writing the resignation letters of the 30 to 50 year old programmers as they moved on the greener pastures. My early writing at 14 was sign line only. Thanks for the help.

[ANTO]

Wow- thats quite a journey you had yourself eh?
Yes its much better now my friend. Quite poignant that final stanza. If I had kids myself Im sure it would have drawn a tear. Well penned Will.

[Willard Wells]

Thank you. I always value your words. Have a good week.

[ANTO]

what a nice thing to say - cheers Will, you too my friend. :)

[Willard Wells]

Since I am so nice, check out the added photos and see if you feel it works? Thanks

[ANTO]

exponentially enhances it Will - damn fine ensemble now mate !
Kudos