O Tempora O Mores
Somewhere between the words
Never uttered
Entirely, so it seemed, taboo
For mother, born after
Cataclysm , men shot, shell-shocked
For cowardice,
Before uncovering, discovering
Of trauma, ego, stress
Before we were all worth it
And seeking of satisfaction
Valid as a lifetime pursuit
Self esteem to be nurtured
Not crushed and curbed
Children shushed
Out of sight
Between the stiffened,
Buttoned proud to be British
Upper lip
And the let go let loose
Confessional cathartic
Drop of a hat
Tell-all no holds barred
Love you the new telephone farewell
Kiss kiss the new hello
Just at that moment
Grey time, black and white time
Watershed children, we were born
Then firmly raised
Taught to be strong, show respect
Avoid bringing shame
But the times certainly – harmonica plaintive-
A-changing, see us now
Anachronisms all
Relics, curiosities
From a world this long time gone
Somewhere between the words
Never uttered
Entirely, so it seemed, taboo
For mother, born after
Cataclysm , men shot, shell-shocked
For cowardice,
Before uncovering, discovering
Of trauma, ego, stress
Before we were all worth it
And seeking of satisfaction
Valid as a lifetime pursuit
Self esteem to be nurtured
Not crushed and curbed
Children shushed
Out of sight
Between the stiffened,
Buttoned proud to be British
Upper lip
And the let go let loose
Confessional cathartic
Drop of a hat
Tell-all no holds barred
Love you the new telephone farewell
Kiss kiss the new hello
Just at that moment
Grey time, black and white time
Watershed children, we were born
Then firmly raised
Taught to be strong, show respect
Avoid bringing shame
But the times certainly – harmonica plaintive-
A-changing, see us now
Anachronisms all
Relics, curiosities
From a world this long time gone
28th September 2009 Hounoux
You have so accurately put your finger on the discomforts of our generation, and their genesis!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking for a long time that we were as much the victims of that war as anyone who lived through it!
Too true Jen and Sally. I had a heartening session this morning listening to a range of people talking about children's mental health and all through I found myself amazed at how much attitudes had changed. Alongside this a little gremlin popped up from my own childhood experience 'eh up lass thas getting soft'.
ReplyDeleteThis poem came from reflections on the advertising campaign for L'Oreal which proclaims that we are all 'worth it'! and which I find repellent. But on the other hand there is the sadness of never once hearing that phrase 'I love you' from mother, though she patently did love me very much. The awful shame too of my never saying it to her - I did literally think it was taboo. Had conversation with cousin this weekend at big family party. She is sole carer for her mother- now 91 and utterly dependent, but she too- her mother- will never say those words. We are all the victims of our cultural upbringings aren't we. Is laughable to think of how today's young bandy the phrase about. Times and attitudes re mental health have utterly changed, thank god. We teachers/ parents etc supposed to encourage and praise, rather than put down and be on permanent look-out for the swelled head!
ReplyDelete