"I've saved too many relics from my childhood." Clearing Out the Clutter
I am happily putting away childish things.
Things like the jack-in-the-box
That frightened me so many times,
But that I still kept winding up
To see if it came out the same.
I’m putting away the cat’s cradle string that I
Bound myself to so tightly, I could not let go.
Away goes the ball that I had when I so often said,
‘It’s mine and if you won’t play the
Way I want, I will take it and go home.’
Out go the toy traumas in boxes, some of
Which are in the original packing material.
The top that spun me around for years
Has been stopped.
I’m putting away happy toys too. A few of them
I’ve never wanted to share, but now they are
Too old to play with.
I’ve saved too many relics from my childhood.
There are fears and hurts and hopes and dreams
That need to be put into their rightful spot.
It’s time to do so, maybe past time.
It’s getting late.
Mom and Dad would be so pleased
That I am finally cleaning up the place.
Susan Patterson
11-2011
I am happily putting away childish things.
Things like the jack-in-the-box
That frightened me so many times,
But that I still kept winding up
To see if it came out the same.
I’m putting away the cat’s cradle string that I
Bound myself to so tightly, I could not let go.
Away goes the ball that I had when I so often said,
‘It’s mine and if you won’t play the
Way I want, I will take it and go home.’
Out go the toy traumas in boxes, some of
Which are in the original packing material.
The top that spun me around for years
Has been stopped.
I’m putting away happy toys too. A few of them
I’ve never wanted to share, but now they are
Too old to play with.
I’ve saved too many relics from my childhood.
There are fears and hurts and hopes and dreams
That need to be put into their rightful spot.
It’s time to do so, maybe past time.
It’s getting late.
Mom and Dad would be so pleased
That I am finally cleaning up the place.
Susan Patterson
11-2011
Audio: Clearing Out the Clutter
Discussion: Clearing Out the Clutter
This poem is a repeat of a posting in April of last year. It is however a favorite of mine, so I beg your indulgence. Clearing Out the Clutter came about as I was driving home late one night down a country road. As I was driving along, I began going into my usual fear about seeing an old man standing along side of the road wanting a ride. (This fear came from an old "Twilight Zone" episode, of all things.) I thought to myself, geesh, how long am I going to be afraid of a TV show? The fear was from my childhood and it was time to grow up.
The poem uses the metaphors of childhood toys to make a point about how we hang on to ideas, fears, dreams, behaviors and attitudes that are just no longer necessary or appropriate, if they ever were. It is about putting away that which causes us to be childish and holds back our development. I'm still putting away clutter from here and there in my life. I'll get everything cleaned up eventually. skp
The poem uses the metaphors of childhood toys to make a point about how we hang on to ideas, fears, dreams, behaviors and attitudes that are just no longer necessary or appropriate, if they ever were. It is about putting away that which causes us to be childish and holds back our development. I'm still putting away clutter from here and there in my life. I'll get everything cleaned up eventually. skp
Speaking of Clutter
I just bought an iPhone. James purchased an iPad. Yep, the Patterson's are no longer behind the times... at least in the capacity of communication. I now need to learn how to use the new phone. My good friend Debbie spent two hours with me and just scratched the surface of its usage. What a great tool! It truly is one of the top ten inventions of all time.
Having said that, James and I did complain that it was nice when phones were simple, when television had three channels, when cars used a key. Ah, the good old days. Modern life brings us opportunity beyond measure. We can learn all manner of things and meet all manner of people through our devices. Smart phones can be used to start a revolution for the good and to dispel stone age beliefs of evil. But, gosh, they can also be the vessel for a lot of clutter.
Having said that, James and I did complain that it was nice when phones were simple, when television had three channels, when cars used a key. Ah, the good old days. Modern life brings us opportunity beyond measure. We can learn all manner of things and meet all manner of people through our devices. Smart phones can be used to start a revolution for the good and to dispel stone age beliefs of evil. But, gosh, they can also be the vessel for a lot of clutter.
And Lastly,
Ah, the beauty of an idyllic world upon which to ponder.
Cheery-bye!
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