Realities Unknowable – Robyn Chaffey
10Realities Unknowable
Robyn Chaffey
Hazelbrook, New South Wales
Australia
‘Some things in life’ they say, ‘are harder’.
They say too, ‘forgiveness is the way to go.’
It is true enough, yet this I do better know,
That there are times when life’s realities are broader!
There are realities unknowable
Like waking up to memories …
Unreachable, untenable realities;
Which from ones very being are inseparable!
Who are you to judge what I may feel?
You, who grew and lived by things I learned
Before you were a ‘twinkle’, and before I got burned!
You who say from me you got the raw deal …
Never knew realities unknowable!
How I looked forward to your adult years;
To the days when I could chat with you as equals,
Laugh about days gone by, and finally be pals …
Enjoy prizes won only by blood, sweat and tears …
Laugh at my realities unknowable!
Aye, some things are not so easy in this life.
Sometimes best efforts do not reward our hope.
Others dreams may send them slipping on a too steep slope.
Yet that should not ever be a cause for strife …
The sadness of realities unknowable!
What made you think I needed you to live for me …
That it was not in me to support you in your choices?
You still don’t see that my fight was for your voices …
I bonded me to you so that you could be set free!
The courage of realities unknowable!
Yes, to see you live stronger than I ever was enabled
Was my reason to keep going; what stopped me giving in!
That I wanted so much more for you! That was my sin!
I believed the cruel myth of mother joy that’s fabled!
There are realities unknowable
Like waking up to memories …
Unreachable, untenable realities;
Which from ones being are inseparable!
Bio: This poem was written in a pensive moment and is about those times when the rules we try to live by as individuals—as mothers—simply do not fit with the realities we need to deal with in life.
A heart-felt and moving piece Rob. It has a good flow…
Thank you JH. I was worried it might be too raw but feel it is a common thread.
I identify very closely with this poem Robyn, you’ve touched on so many things that I sometimes find to be inexpressible; both as a son and as a parent. First rate. James.
Thank you James. I appreciate your feedback very much.
Very poignant Robyn
I too identified with your poem Robyn – eventually it all works out – whether we understand it or not. A poem from the heart is never too raw.
Many thanks Judy and Demelza. I really appreciate your feedback, 🙂
Very touching poem. It rings true for many a parent. It certainly does for me. We try our best.
Realities unknowable, ever changing the future unseeable. As Demelza said, ‘Eventually it all works out.’
Thank you for taking time to give me feedback Irina and dj. I do very much appreciate it.