On Being a Monster

 

 

Sometimes in life

You have to be

Something that is not you

Naturally.

 

It’s being a monster

I would often say

To help some loved one

To mend their way.

 

Often with children

In their poor perception,

A negative response is seen

As a rejection.

 

Daddy’s the monster

Or maybe it’s Mum

But whoever’s the monster

From them they run.

 

I have dared to be

The monster they see

Though I must admit

It is never easy.

 

It is an attitude

That grows with me

And that I still maintain

With my family.

 

 When most of life

Becomes relative ease,

An unexpected interruption

Can be a squeeze.

 

This is made worse

If it’s not understood

And we do not sensibly respond

As we really should.

 

 

Life is a lesson

We learn everyday

And a day’s lesson ignored

Brings growth delay.

 

Delay in adapting

To what is the new

And we stubbornly refuse

To change our view.

 

Haste is the focus;

It must be corrected!

And in haste the lesson not learnt

Is again rejected.

 

A monster is needed!

It has to be me

And though it’s not popular,

I hope you can see…

 

The bigger picture

That will unfold

Unless someone steps up

And become bold.

 

Nothing learned

Then nothing gained

Other than constantly repeating

The same pain.

 

It pains me to write

A poem like this

But I am constrained so to do

To mend this rift.

 

Remember, easy come,

Easy go,

This is a principle

We all need to know.

Quickly replacing

Once there are funds

One day will come to an end

When funds are done.

 

Learn to get by

At least for a while

And so, learn to appreciate

Another’s lifestyle.

 

Stewart Russell © July 10, 2024