Friday, April 18, 2014

Ponderings of Theodore--the teenage years.

The teenage years are often a difficult time as we transition from childhood to adulthood. During this time, we try to figure out who we are and who we want to become. We explore, we retreat. We're popular, we're invisible. We're happy, we're sad. In other words, we're in limbo, not quite sure where to land. During some of Theo's teenage angst years, he wrote about this. One of those times was in today's poem.

                                                                 Limbo
                                                            by Theodore

                                          How can you be falling if you never hit the ground?
                                          How can you be flying if you never touch the sky?
                                          How can you love yourself if you never are good?
                                          How can you hate yourself if you never are evil?

                                          When people stare in awe and wonder
                                          And flee before your touch
                                          Neither heaven nor hell will take you
                                          And you want nothing so much

                                          As a solid place to stand
                                          And someone to take your hand.


4 comments:

  1. I continue to think he has a gift with his use of language and imagery. He's very honest about his conflicted emotions.

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    1. As I've mentioned before, Theo was always a deep thinker. At six years old, he told me that he would lie awake at night and worry about why he was placed on earth and what his purpose in life was. It's not easy having that kind of mind sometimes. However, other times he was like any other kid playing video games, riding his bike, and going on camp-outs.

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  2. Replies
    1. When I reminded Theo of this poem recently because I thought I might use it for National Poetry Month, he thought it needed a big rewrite. However, he left alone because he is no longer that teenager. Whether or not he likes it, I think it does a good job of conveying a mood.

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