The Back Seat « Paths of Time

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The Back Seat

May 26, 2008 at 4:01 pm | In Poetry | 8 Comments

The Back Seat

She was the child
who played in the woods,
who thought the world
was hers to grasp,
the child whose dreams were bigger than the sky,
whose playmates were wild,
fleet of foot, winged, and finned.

She was the child that had needs,
that had visions
of what she wanted to be,
but the child who was told
over and over
that she would amount to nothing at all,
that she was useless,
a dreamer,
a wastrel.

She was the child who was told
over and over
to be seen and not heard,
to silently listen to what others may say,
but not to butt in,
for her thoughts and her words
were worth nothing at all.

She was that child,
tho’ now an old woman
whose dreams lost their way,
who knew that, no matter what,
she could never succeed.
She’d been told so, you see,
over and over.

She was that child,
tho’ now an old woman
who wonders
where went the child
that rode life like a merry-go-round,
the child that wrapped her arms around Pegasus’ neck?

She was that child,
now frail and in limbo,
remembering
in the clear view of hindsight—

Her friends were their friends,
never her own,
so she sits here alone
tied into her chair
silently listening,
withdrawn into self
and searching—
for what?

She was the woman
who, throughout the years,
sat in the back.
That was her burden, you see,
to live through the lives
of those who sat in the front,
for she was no more than a shadow
on the back stage of life,
for a shadow, you see,
is seen and not heard.

She is the old woman who mourns
for the years that have passed,
with hope too late to be hopeful.
For the road back is too far,
the journey too difficult,
the path—
over-grown and weedy.

She is the old woman,
tied into her chair,
trying to escape disillusion
while life rots around her
in the half dead and the dying,
while shadows pass by
ignoring the child that once was.

She is the child, now an old woman
tied into her chair,
who knows
that by taking the back seat,
she lost her most precious possession—

her life,
and what could have been.

8 Comments »

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WOW!!! Very well done Vi, thank you so much for reminding us of its life.

Hugs and kisses,
GwenGuin

Comment by gwenguin1 — May 27, 2008 #

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POW! Packs quite a punch! If I hadn’t started therapy, I may have been that old woman myself – thank goodness for kind counselors, they help so much! Kerry

Comment by Kerry — May 27, 2008 #

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Such a wise piece, full of beautiful imagery. A wonderful creation to share, Vi.

Comment by imogen88 — May 27, 2008 #

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This is a heartbreaking piece, Vi. I hope it reminds your readers just how easy it is to steal someone’s joy. God bless you for your insight, compassion, and wisdom.

Comment by Barbara — May 27, 2008 #

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Thank you all for your comments. I knew this woman, the one in the poem. She’s gone now, but this is her story. Anyone on that path, living the life of others and neglecting their own precious time on this planet, should turn around now, head in a different direction. Certainly allow others into your life, but always remember to create time for your own dreams and activities. To have a fruitful and positive relationships with others, one must be in command of one’s own destininy.

Vi

Comment by woodnymph — May 27, 2008 #

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Oh Vi, that brought tears to my eyes, beautifully expressed – the loss is so clear.

Comment by Jill — May 27, 2008 #

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Hi Vi, Your piece is so deeply sorrowful and begs, Is it ever too late? I think you have found a profound and lasting voice by surviving what life throws your way.

Comment by iamsamiam — June 13, 2008 #

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This is the voice of so many of us on our way to wholeness, reclaiming our inner child, our mature woman and our wonderful crone aspects.

Comment by thalia — June 19, 2008 #

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