James Moore Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

Unsolicited

(“Multiculturalism Merit Badge”, 2010, original oil)

Unsolicited

Yesterday I called my daughter
To give unsolicited parenting advice.
She listened and heard me
And even thanked me after,
But then I went away
Wondering who am I to give advice
And how does my experience as a child
Compare to my daughter’s kid's today.
It’s really two different worlds
Of different values, pressures and expectations.

In our talk these key words of parenting arose;
Love, fairness, patience
And something more elusive,
Maybe even you could say the Holy Grail
Of parenting, equanimity,
That quality of dispassionate composure
Especially in the face of stress.
And maybe this is what makes me feel 
My advice rings hollow
And so better left unsaid.

If we don’t embody the lessons we teach
What use are they,
And if we embody them,
What need for them to be even given.

(9/2/25)

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