Teach Your Children Well

Children learn by the games they play
the games you teach them to control
They watch your eyes, they watch your smile
your opinions take a heavy toll.

Do you teach them to run and jump high
or lead them into a darkened room.
Do you give them guns and sword play
or send them outside to grow and bloom.

Have you explained the hurt, and the pain
which comes from the letting of blood
or glorified taking of sides
and bleeding victims crushed in the mud.

Two dimensional deeds plant red seeds
in the fertile fields of growing minds.



*title credit to Crosbey Stills and Nash
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Kovacs Avatar
January 20, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Nicely written and a great message. Thank you for sharing.
A   Avatar
January 20, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Debbie, :-) CONGRATULATIONS on a poem well done. Nice exposure in Yasmin's "Video Games Played " extravaganza... take care ~PD
Arowolo Avatar
January 19, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Wonderful piece,Nice message...Congratulations on your superb win...
Sefunmi Avatar
January 19, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Congrats on your win!
May Avatar
January 19, 2013 at 4:47 AM
congrats on your win ....best wishes
Mandani Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 7:07 PM
Well, you are right. We do think alike! Our poems are like mirror images. Nice work.
Haick Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 12:35 PM
I really love this, Deb. Congratulations on your deserving Ist Place win. Love, Annalise
Liwayway Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 11:26 AM
a winner indeed!! Congratulations friend Debbie on your win. Hugs, Maria
Richards Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 9:19 AM
The seeds of violence are planted long before they are old enough to buy a gun. (Love the title of this piece!) Congrats....insightful poetry!
Saab Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 8:25 AM
Very beautiful, very deep and very encouraging for parents to think about the matter seriously. Great job ! Love :)))
Dillard Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 7:47 AM
"Red Seeds" indeed! Well written! RAY
Lamoureux Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM
Many parents have been replaced by their TVs and video games. Congrats on win.
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 3:25 AM
Congratulations Debbie, and so true. A well deserved win here. xx
Macmillan Avatar
January 17, 2013 at 7:10 PM
BAM! Exactly. I am so glad I read this tonight. I'm struggling right now... lots of head butting going on here. EVERYTHING is difficult. All is a stage, lol, I know. Sent you soup mail. xox Dee
Shetley Avatar
January 17, 2013 at 3:19 PM
I love this. I did the best I could with my kids. I fear for them still even though they are grown... my grandkids I pray incessantly for them with this world they are inheriting.
Lewis Avatar
January 17, 2013 at 9:12 AM
So true, so true our children are mirrors of our souls! If parents took the time out and watch their children without their children knowing they will not only see but hear what they are teaching their children BUT the parent needs to be strong enough to face what they will see and hear and not be critical towards that child but correct them gently because after all they are mimicking what their parents are doing around them. Thanks for the eye opener. Simmplissity
Lamoureux Avatar
January 17, 2013 at 7:16 AM
Hi Deb, have another look. Thanks.
Poet Avatar
January 17, 2013 at 2:48 AM
Very nice Sonnet here Debi.Some lessons for the parents.But Now a days children are also teaching their parents:)Best Wishes to you.
Anish Avatar
January 16, 2013 at 7:29 AM
I like that song - and your poem is food for thought. I rememeber playing with toy soldiers - but I have never been in the military - lucky number in the draft during the Vietnam war. I
Richards Avatar
January 15, 2013 at 4:29 PM
And I heard the sound of their music when I read this...great minds think alike (yours and theirs)!
Lamoureux Avatar
January 15, 2013 at 7:44 AM
Hi Deb, did you get my soup mail?
Kovrlija Avatar
January 15, 2013 at 3:32 AM
Educational and well-written poem! I liked it.
Trifiatis Avatar
January 14, 2013 at 5:05 PM
Great pedagogical lesson! If only we had more good examples like this one! Wonderfully written. Thank you.
Kendrick Avatar
January 14, 2013 at 4:52 PM
Interesting thoughts penned..Those little minds are like a dry sponge which explodes to a great size when water is added..Enjoyed reading this one today..Thanks for stopping by ..Glad to know that you like vocabulary words..Sara
Lamoureux Avatar
January 14, 2013 at 4:28 PM
Very true! Soup mail
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace