Our Bad Seed

this reflects the "spoiled attitude" of many children now days. Good write, Mark

...is just like this or rather,i'm sorry was like this she's grown upa bit but it still there every now and then,lol. Lacy Where power corrupts,poetry cleanses.

I think I know who this may be written for something about the way it is written though unsettles me it is missing something yes it does need a title that one isn't making to much sense Chrys

humm...how bout... its all about her ... center of her universe ... Spoiled brats Love these lines: "Alternating ass-kicker attitude Demanding tribute With usual platitude" Frost

I teach middle school - I think you just painted a portrait of some of my most talented students - all this promise wrapped in a eye-roll. Great job! Sincerely, Amara

Cat. I agree there is a selfish streak a mile wide in many kids, especially the spoiled ones...although they are not entirely responsible for that of course....someone has to do the spoiling. What i sense far more though is that they find it hard to understand and cope with what society demands from them, including sensitivity towards others, and that can foster incredible selfishness as well as anxiety, self harm etc. Life has a nasty habit of kicking the shit out of many spoiled brats when they are finally on their own and unprotected in the real world. Loved your poem though. Given what i have just said I guess I would have called it "The girl knows how to hide". Always Keith

when he says the worst child abuse comes about when parents (and grandparents, too) give a child anything he/she wants whenever wanted, whether needed or not, whether healthy or not, whether wasteful or not, whether costly or not. Holding a child appropriately responsible for actions (and their consequences/benefits) can so help the child to grow in ways that can reap a maturity beyond years, a generosity of spirit, a heightened and thoughtful actionable concern for people, animals, environment, etc., that is so needed esp. in modern times. Thanx for writing a piece acknowledging a problem that is so huge. Yours, Chuck PS: CID (Chuck's Incomplete Dictionary): the personality state of requiring immediate gratification = a syndrome/deficit (psychiatric illness) gone unnamed ... its humongous extent relatively unique to the Gimme Generation. PPS: In my view, the word whatever! so frequently used sneeringly by adolescents, has become as much or more distasteful than the common four-letter words.

This line: 'From "little lost martyr girl" eyes,' nailed it. Thank you for writing this (now I don't have to, ha ha). A fine, shall we call it a "protest poem?" Alobar (Just my two cents, spend them on gum if you wish.)

Smiles:) Barbara Nothing seems to get through that can help. Some self centered brats just trying to survive. In the end we make our own choices and carry our own burdens. My niece so bad my sister put her in foster care at age twelve. Bad since five. We saw it coming early, sis never listen, now want us to help carry her load. Make your bed must sleep in it my mom always says.

An observation with keen words that is all too true. Nice say in verse.

the gimme generation... well said.. it seems there are quite a lot of children these days not ready for life.. they soon get a taste of it.. so there is still hope. I feel for the child in your poem.. as it is not all their fault.. they seem to have adapted.. upon reading the other comments I seem to have read it right..and this child is adopted.. she allready feels rejected .. sounds like she is pushing the limit buttons. I hope you don't get angry at me for commenting.. I know some people who were adopted.. and carried anger and mistrust and disdain for the whole of society for not understanding..it is very hard on the parents too.. no real way to fix most of it other than being honest..sorry for going on.. Richard

I'm sorry for going on the way I did.. I should have known you and your family are part of the aware and gave access to the child's parents.. that changes everything.. a blunt weapon to get what she wants.. your sister has done a noble thing that often goes thankless.. I wish her strength.. Richard

Dearest Cat, My god is there anything you cannot write my dear friend ? this one is amazing , it verges on a rant,WOW another awesome write darlin loved it !!! five stars isn't enough , and the message , how true it is ... love and hugz Jayne x x x "We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. Lynn Hall" ...

LOL whats meter ? lol ... love youuuuuuu mwah Jayne x x "We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. Lynn Hall" ...

The behavioral transitions you use to describe the characteristics of an ever progessing spoiled generation almost sounds like the poster child for bipolar disorder. I prefer not to know how I will propose a personal fate upon a poem until the very end. Upon reading your final words, I strongly propose 2 thumbs up. ...well thought out PINT :)

enda, patrick collins. hi i know plenty of kids like this but i feel my self i have two girls who where thought good maners from a young age , but its its not all the parents fault it has something to do with friends peers , trying to fit in , very good theme yet again where do you get them all from well done

Every now and then simple corrections help a child get some necessary brokenness of heart. Some people would call child abuse to even a few words of reconvention. But ah how necessary are they in today's world, provided there is love and understanding. What do you think? Regards, Hugo