Adult Behavior

I learned to spy on adult behavior
as a child, totally out of control. 
For when sent to bed for misbehavior
I would secretly peek through the keyhole.

My parent's world included make-believe
pretending telling white lies didn’t count. 
And I would watch them socially deceive
knowing they wouldn’t be called to account.

I'd hear them laugh at their friend’s naughty jokes
that would have earned me a spanking for sure.
And though at times they seemed someone else's folks,
their hypocrisy was mine to endure.

The invaluable lesson for me,
was, always block the keyhole with a key.


(Sonnet)

Jan. 24, 2019
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10th gradeanxietychildhoodemotionssonnet

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Line Gauthier

February 9, 2019 at 9:12 PM

Double standards. So difficult for kids to make sense of it all. Well penned, Emile.

Emile Pinet

February 10, 2019 at 8:25 AM

Thanks Line, I appreciate your comments my friend, Emile.

M. L. Kiser

January 25, 2019 at 2:22 PM

Ba-ha-ha-ha-ha... Love the ending here; we've all learned something from adults when we were kids. Still, I love that you learned to block that keyhole. Good one.

Emile Pinet

January 25, 2019 at 2:52 PM

Thanks M. L., one learns to close the loop holes they once employed and enjoyed my friend, Emile.

Caren Krutsinger

January 24, 2019 at 4:16 PM

This part is so absolutely one hundred percent true: "My parent's world was based on make-believe pretending that telling white lies don't count. And I would watch them socially deceive knowing they wouldn’t be called to account." Great job, my friend.

Emile Pinet

January 24, 2019 at 4:58 PM

Thanks Caren, you always make my day my friend, Emile.