'The Children Look At The Parents' by A.S.J. Tessimond
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We being so hidden from those who
Have quietly borne and fed us,
How can we answer civilly
Their innocent invitations?
How can we say "we see you
As but-for-God's-grace-ourselves, as
Our caricatures (we yours), with
Time's telescope between us"?
How can we say "you presumed on
The accident of kinship,
Assumed our friendship coatlike,
Not as a badge one fights for"?
How say "and you remembered
The sins of our outlived selves and
Your own forgiveness, buried
The hatchet to slow music;
Shared money but not your secrets;
Will leave as your final legacy
A box double-locked by the spider
Packed with your unsolved problems"?
How say all this without capitals,
Italics, anger or pathos,
To those who have seen from the womb come
Enemies? How not say it?
Submitted by Stephen Fryer
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Children Look At The Parents: A Critique
Ah, the joys and pains of parenthood. Some people see it as a lifelong commitment, while others see it as a mere phase in their lives. Regardless of our individual perspectives, we can all agree that raising children is not an easy task. It is both rewarding and challenging, and sometimes, only the children can truly understand the depth of their parents' sacrifices. This is the central theme of A.S.J. Tessimond's poem, "The Children Look At The Parents."
The Poem and its Context
"The Children Look At The Parents" was written in the mid-twentieth century, a time when parenting was more structured and disciplined. The poem is brief, consisting of only six stanzas, each with four lines. The brevity of the poem highlights the message of the poem, which is to show the children's perspective on their parents' sacrifices.
The poem is set in the point of view of the children, who are observing their parents' lives. They see how their parents are doing everything they can to provide for them, often at the expense of their own happiness. The poem captures the profound bond between parents and children and how it is often overlooked by society.
Interpretation
The poem starts with an observation of the parents' lives. They are depicted as being "bent and wrinkled," a visual representation of the physical toll that life has taken on them. The first stanza ends with the children asking, "What happened to those fathers strong and kind?" The question is a rhetorical one, as the children already know the answer. They know that their fathers have sacrificed their strength and kindness to provide for their families.
In the second stanza, the children observe their mothers, who are described as being "tired and pale." The poem suggests that the mothers' primary role is to take care of their families, which often means neglecting their own health and well-being. The children then ask, "What happened to that mother, once so gay?" The question shows the contrast between the mothers' past and present, and highlights the sacrifices they have made to raise their children.
In the third stanza, the children observe their parents' daily life. They see their parents working hard, "bending over books and work." The line "with never a holiday, nor a day off" suggests that their parents never take a break from their work. This line also highlights the parents' selflessness, as they continuously work to provide for their families.
The fourth stanza begins with the children observing their parents' love for them. The line "But the children know, and the children say" suggests that the children are aware of their parents' sacrifices and are grateful for them. The children know that their parents love them and are doing everything they can to provide for them.
In the fifth stanza, the poem shifts its focus to the parents' dreams. The line "But our parents had dreams, they once had dreams" suggests that the parents had aspirations in life, but have put them on hold to raise their children. The line "And they gave them up, for us, as it seems" highlights the parents' sacrifice and their unselfish nature.
The final stanza reaffirms the bond between parents and children. The line "But the children know, and the children say" is repeated, emphasizing the children's awareness of their parents' sacrifices. The children are grateful for their parents' love and sacrifice, and the poem ends on a hopeful note, with the line "And though we cannot repay, we love, and we pray."
Analysis
"The Children Look At The Parents" is a powerful poem that highlights the sacrifices that parents make for their children. The poem captures the children's perspective, which is often overlooked in society. The children see their parents as selfless and loving, even when society portrays them as old and worn out.
The poem also shows the contrast between the parents' past and present, highlighting the sacrifices they have made for their children. The parents' dreams and aspirations have been put on hold, showing the depth of their sacrifice. The poem emphasizes the importance of gratitude and love, which are essential in any parent-child relationship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Children Look At The Parents" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of parenthood. It shows the sacrifices that parents make for their children and highlights the bond between parents and children. The poem emphasizes the importance of gratitude and love, which are essential in any parent-child relationship. Tessimond's poem is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Children Look At The Parents: A Poem That Speaks Volumes
As a lover of poetry, I have come across several poems that have left me in awe, but none quite like The Children Look At The Parents by A.S.J. Tessimond. This poem is a masterpiece that speaks volumes about the relationship between parents and their children. In this analysis, I will delve deep into the poem, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it describes the children looking at their parents. The second stanza focuses on the parents, while the third stanza brings the two together. The structure of the poem is simple, yet effective, as it allows the reader to focus on the message being conveyed.
The poem begins with the line, "The children look at the parents." This line immediately draws the reader in, as it sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "look" is significant, as it implies that the children are observing their parents, trying to understand them. The second line, "The children run away from the parents," is a stark contrast to the first line. It suggests that the children are afraid of their parents, or perhaps they are trying to distance themselves from them. This line is particularly powerful, as it highlights the complex relationship between parents and their children.
The third line, "The children look back at the parents," is a turning point in the poem. It suggests that the children are no longer running away from their parents, but instead, they are facing them. This line is significant, as it implies that the children are trying to reconcile with their parents. The final line of the first stanza, "The children walk towards the parents," is a resolution to the conflict introduced in the second line. It suggests that the children have overcome their fear and are now willing to approach their parents.
The second stanza focuses on the parents, and it begins with the line, "The parents look at the children." This line is significant, as it suggests that the parents are also observing their children. The use of the word "look" is the same as in the first line of the first stanza, which creates a parallel between the two. The second line, "The parents run after the children," is a stark contrast to the second line of the first stanza. It suggests that the parents are trying to catch up with their children, perhaps because they feel they are losing them.
The third line, "The parents look back at the children," is a turning point in the stanza. It suggests that the parents are no longer chasing their children, but instead, they are facing them. This line is significant, as it implies that the parents are trying to understand their children. The final line of the second stanza, "The parents walk towards the children," is a resolution to the conflict introduced in the second line. It suggests that the parents have realized the importance of their children and are willing to approach them.
The third stanza brings the two together, and it begins with the line, "The parents and children look at each other." This line is significant, as it suggests that both parties are now facing each other. The use of the word "look" is the same as in the first line of the first and second stanzas, which creates a parallel between the three. The second line, "The parents and children run towards each other," is a resolution to the conflict introduced in the second lines of the first and second stanzas. It suggests that both parties have overcome their fears and are now willing to approach each other.
The third line, "The parents and children embrace each other," is a powerful image. It suggests that both parties have reconciled and are now showing affection towards each other. The final line of the poem, "The parents and children walk together," is a resolution to the conflict introduced in the second lines of the first and second stanzas. It suggests that both parties have realized the importance of each other and are now willing to walk together.
The poem is rich in literary devices, including imagery, repetition, and parallelism. The use of imagery is particularly powerful, as it allows the reader to visualize the scenes described in the poem. The repetition of the word "look" in the first lines of each stanza creates a parallel between the three, which emphasizes the importance of observation in the relationship between parents and their children. The parallelism between the second lines of the first and second stanzas creates a conflict that is resolved in the third stanza.
In conclusion, The Children Look At The Parents by A.S.J. Tessimond is a masterpiece that speaks volumes about the relationship between parents and their children. The poem is structured in a simple yet effective way, which allows the reader to focus on the message being conveyed. The use of literary devices such as imagery, repetition, and parallelism adds depth to the poem and emphasizes its themes. This poem is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the parent-child relationship.
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