barbsdad2003

Dec 27, 2007 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

The Reverse

I avidly future-read un libro maravilloso

by Laura Blumenfeld. In it she relates

a conversation while walking outdoors

with her father in which he says, I look

at the same places you look at---but I see

things you don't see.

I think it a powerfully apt revelation from

father to fille.

But the reverse,

too much overlooked,

also bears truth,

That a daughter

sees things a dad

does not notice.

And those combined

differences come

rich with promise

For the two of

them to explore

when both are grown.

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: USA

Comments

Sinbadthesailorman

18 years 4 months ago

Ah to be able to see with the eyes of another

I hope to some day have walks such as these again with my daughter and her brothers but fear they are a long time in coming before she or they are able to come to the realization their old man is not such the ass their mother and unsignificated other try to impose upon her and her brothers Astute realization? Can't spell today that is for sure "observation"? nice piece of info nice read

weirdelf

18 years 4 months ago

It's rare I offer crit to you Chuck

For once I felt what you had to say was too self-evident. Am I out of touch or unusually in touch? cheers, Jess

barbsdad2003

18 years 4 months ago

Question for kaz:

I'm confused. What is it that's self-evident? That both daughter ... and the father ... are not yet grown? How can that be self-evident ... to such as on-looking strangers? And is it self-evident that either or both will ever be grown? Am I missing something? The crit is fine. No problem there. What it's all about, though, is confusing to me. To me as an observer of common human nature, too often I see assumptions being made by parents that their children cannot observe so very differently from those children's parents. Parents can be only too happy to speak for their children ... and that without brooking correction or contradiction (or clarification) coming from those same children. And of course such mothers and fathers stay blind to their children. They thus do not permit them---both parents themselves ... and their children---to mature as independent people. Thanx, Chuck

weirdelf

18 years 4 months ago

well that was me not Kaz,

So there is some confusion all round. The real reason I don't often give you crit is because you respond like a pompous old arse to me or anyone. cheers, Jess

barbsdad2003

18 years 4 months ago

I Think That to the ...

parent who sees the child as an extension of self, there is little about my piece that might be self-evident. Thanx, Chuck PS: You seek to bait me, do you? As if what you say has some basis in fact? And ... so sorry about this misidentification. My bad. I think your hostility veins flow deeper than you care to admit. Has it occurred to you that you can admire without also resenting?

weirdelf

18 years 4 months ago

I do admire you and your

I do admire you and your work wholeheartedly, without resentment. Yes, i was baiting, indulging my ratbag nature. Sorry that it came across hostile instead of teasing but there is an element of truth in it. You do seem a little... formal when replying to criticism. I really do apologise for choosing this piece in which to tease you because it is so personal. That was deeply insensitive of me. sincerely, Jess