(“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)
Categories:
unsolicited, children, introspection, parents, perspective,
Form: Narrative
Open the Eyes walking swimming through the tunnel copy didn't ask for this reveal yet still I am here resonating tone denial that they are the streets of denial and going to start again I'm full yes I'm Revere it still feared bronze is my creation speculation is my divination I am found yet lost am I child of the Skies of the ground I am soulless spirit and light and I'm in a light for the calls never lost I've been fine I'm on the rebound about restricted I'm just I'm solicited I'm an eagle on the light I fly I shine light night I ignite
9/12/24
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr 2024
Categories:
unsolicited, adventure, allusion, analogy, celebration,
Form: Free verse
The defense is automatic
Actions, autonomic
Devoted to the cause, charismatic
Emotions for all seasons, climatic
I weary,
I smile
I compliment, silently
I advise
I encourage
l congratulate, mutely
l feel
I break
l heal, repeatedly
I love
I pray
I hope, constantly
My feelings
My devotion
My actions, unsolicited.
Categories:
unsolicited, devotion, emotions, hope,
Form: Free verse
Unsolicited advice
against its storm I brace
Showing no fear or shame
as they get up in my face
In other words ...
They tell me to zig
when I'm zagging
"Hurry up man!"
when I'm lagging
"That's not the way
I'd do it!" they opine
"Better listen to me,
get to it!" every time
Hmm, if that's true
then I'll know
just what to do
when I am you!
More precisely ...
When I do what you say
in my own peculiar way
You stand
beaming with pride
taking credit
If I dare to complain
you declare me insane
then expose me to
ridicule on Reddit
(You don't regret it—
there, I've said it!)
Now I had my say
what will you do?
Hopefully MYOB
not misconstrue
"We just told you
the best way to go
You must listen to us
don’t you know?”
Thanks! If that's true
then I'll know
just what to do
when I am you!
As odd as that sounds
it must be true
I'll be doing sooo much better
when I am you!
8/20/2022
Poetry form: Lyric
A sauté of unsolicited advice with a dash of fun. All we're trying to do is get rid of the bitterness and make the rest of the flavors pop. Yummy!
Categories:
unsolicited, anxiety, conflict, relationship,
Form: Lyric
I like my poem the way it is
But thanks for your suggestion.
I do not plan to use it but
It brings to mind a question –
Is unsolicited advice
A help or just annoying?
Perhaps it’s good if someone’s spirits
Are in need of buoying.
Or in a case I read about,
An expert made a sighting
Of a mole on someone’s neck
Where cancer cells required fighting.
In certain cases, butting in
May help a situation
And those on the receiving end
May feel appreciation…
But in a poem, a typo’s
A correction that it's needing
Yet all advice beyond that
Many poets won’t be heeding.
Categories:
unsolicited, writing,
Form: Rhyme
Turn off the alarm before you unlatch,
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
No two snowflakes, they say, ever match
Sneaky shysters are very hard to catch,
Don't ruin torn jeans with a brand new patch
If your taffy won't stretch, try a new batch.
Written September 6, 2021
Categories:
unsolicited, humor, perspective,
Form: Monorhyme
I know that you got my message
So why did you not reply
Please don't tell me you're busy
Cause that is not an excuse
I wasn't checking but you were online
Probably texting another guy
You saw my status don't deny
And didn't even flinch to say hi
Do you think I deserve that
I guess your true color is starting to show
Hello its been a very long time
I'm just texting to say its hard to move on
I see you are up and running again
Did I mean nothing to you
Was all those words just for show
Its like you had an ulterior motive
Am I not deserving of an explanation
This is the last and final time
I heard that you are doing fine
Its been about how many months
I'm sending this message to say I've moved on
Well I didn't find someone else
But I hope that you've found happiness
And I hope you're being treated well
By the time you received these messages
I might be long gone
I just want you to know it was all real for me
Categories:
unsolicited, anxiety, betrayal, change, depression,
Form: Free verse
I
order
some coffee –
Americano –
wait with anticipation.
Superheated steam scalds the essence from the beans,
then rising from the cup, that rich fresh-brewed aroma.
I
savour
the vapours –
pure Arabica -
then notice in the saucer
something which I did not order : a biscuit,
yes, cellophane-wrapped an unsolicited biscuit,
the ubiquitous and unsolicited caramelised biscuit !
I
wonder
what’s it worth,
my unsolicited biscuit ?
I’ll send it back and get a refund !
Categories:
unsolicited, food, humor, satire,
Form: Free verse