We Never Asked

by d.knape

Sunday 10th February 2019 1:20 pm

We never asked them

about their lives

not really

we were too busy

just too busy to inquire

into the intricacies of their lives

ours was so much more important

there was conversation

hasty hellos and goodbyes

but we never got into

what really mattered

we could not be serious

about their pain

their thoughts on growing old

we let it slide

there was time

there was distance

there was always some excuse

until they were gone

and now it's too late

to ever ask them

we carry that with us now

like a stone around our neck

there was always tomorrow

and tomorrow never came.

Comments

jennifer Malden

Tue 12th Feb 2019 17:49

Unfortunately how true. Now I am ancient I wish that I could talk to the former generation and find out so many things about an earlier past.

Jennifer

M.C. Newberry

Sun 10th Feb 2019 16:02

Looking back, I see how little I asked or even thought of asking about
things that affected my parents and older relations. It was - and is-
one of the downsides of the young, obsessed with their own lives
and futures, that they ignore the fact that those ahead of them in
life's marathon have endured and survived whatever life threw at
them without the constant care and attention lavished on those following on, blithely unmindful and unaware of what that meant in human terms. "Taken for granted" is entirely appropriate.

Mae Foreman

Sun 10th Feb 2019 15:34

Incredible. A punch in the gut, indeed, Vautaw. I think even the few lucky ones that have the least regrets in their lives, are tortured by immense guilt when it comes to their elderly kin and loved ones. The people we love is our worst weakness and biggest strength. It's our, as the say, "poison"! Even if you see them and talk to them every day no amount of time is enough... You always want more. In fact you want forever. Or maybe that's just how I feel. And this is what truly sucks about death.
Incredible piece.
Thank you for it?
Mae

victoriavautaw@gmail.com

Sun 10th Feb 2019 15:19

I fall into this trap all the time and it feels like a repeated punch in the gut when tomorrow does't come for a loved one. Thanks for the reminder. Today, I'm going to call my mom! ?

keith jeffries

Sun 10th Feb 2019 14:18

This excellent poem will resonate with many folk with those famous words too late. Many regret not spending time with the older generation as they can be a source of wisdom and illuminate all our pasts. Listening to our elders is time well spent and often very enlightening. Thank you for this. Keith

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We Never Asked

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