December 19, 2003
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Chapter 5 – poem for last page
LETTER TO A YOUNG WIFE
Yesterday the letter came
It said, “The cherry blooms.”
Between the lines it added:
“In our house are empty rooms.”
The letter said, “A pheasant came,
Its feathers were like bronze.”
It whispered, too, “We miss your step
Across these April lawns.”
I read, “The blackbirds gather
In the rows behind the plow,”
And I wanted so to tell them
How I long to be there now.
I know that swallows fly to missions,
Daffodils return each year.
Why is it only I must leave
These things I hold so dear?
_____________________
So now it will be a few months probably before I can create Chapter 6, when all hell breaks loose in my life. I really learned something writing Chapter 5, had a big insight. Realized how carefully my parents (particularly my father) tried to orchestrate my life so that it would be successful and accomplished. And what happened instead was that I broke under the pressure, kind of like my Dad did when he had already passed PhD status and was teaching for 7 years. Makes me really think again about my current hopes for my very bright grandson to realize his potential. He too shows signs of being very sensitive. Last thing in the world I’d want to do is make him the same nervous wreck I became. On the other hand, I work with doctors every day and watch medical students come in as residents and spend their four years before they go out in the world. I know about them that they are orchestrated big-time. Wonder how many of them crash for the ones that succeed.
Deep Thought:I don’t think God put me on this planet to judge others. I think he put me on this planet to gather specimens and take them back to my home planet.
Today I am grateful for: Washing machines and dryers
Comments (3)
ouch.
I think sometimes that it is the very push we get from our parents that drives us to so many other things. At least it’s true in my case. The harder they tried saying what I should become, the further from that I went. I consider myself a blessed and happy woman, but not the woman they wanted me to be. Infinite Blessings
I know of many medical student that crash & burn, having worked in a teaching hospital for many years. We tend to haze new doctors & nurses mercilessly & then wonder why some are so ill-tempered. Of all people, I would think the health care professions needs to nurture each other. I like your poem. Sorry about your difficult years. Look what you have learned!!