THE LITTLE BOY and THE OLD MAN
by Shel Silverstein, from A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Harper & Row, 1988
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The image posted with this poem is of my wonderful father-in-law with my young son, photographed as they were fishing the waters of Sykes Creek, Merritt Island, Florida, c.1978/1979. There is a sad truth in this poem that speaks more strongly with each new generation and has cultural overtones as well. A small part of this truth has legitimacy as society has evolved, a larger part is unacceptable and there is still time to address and change that part ~ it should not be lost, for there is so much value to discover when one listens to the words from the past. It is called wisdom.
Love the wonderful poem and your image is beautiful and just perfect!
ReplyDeletegood one. sad but true, fits old women and girls too.
ReplyDeleteThere is a sad truth to that. Have a happy and attention paid to you week
ReplyDeleteERin
June is looking down so wisely from the header and wanting lots of people to read about the wisdom story below.
ReplyDeleteLovely fishing photo as well—fond memories for your son and all.
Hugs,
Mariette
Sweet memory.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful poem and image, and so true.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture to go with the poignant poem.
ReplyDeleteWe each know, and in our own ways, we can make changes.
ReplyDeleteAnn what a beautiful photo of your father in law and son.
ReplyDeleteThe words needed being said by the old man and the little boy.
Hugs cecilia
That poem is sweet, but sad, and your photo illustrates it so well.
ReplyDeleteInsightful and moving poem, and lovely picture.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much truth in this post.
ReplyDeleteWhen you see it then you know it and when you know it...do better!
Purrs Winnie and mum
Very sweet photo.XO
ReplyDeleteTBT: Yeah, old age and young age have a lot of similarities. Both have directions ahead. Just the young have more.
ReplyDeleteIf I knew then what I do now, my life would be very different.
More cats and (separately) less caring what the bosses thought. at work. LOL!
That is sad and sadder that it is so true.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful montage June and Anne, and so relevant. We need the words of the past to make sense of now, or we get it wrong again and again.
ReplyDeleteI love it.
ReplyDeleteWow. I love the photo.
ReplyDeleteThe more I work with the older generations, the more I love and respect them.
I LOVE that!
ReplyDeleteMade me have tears, because I see exactly that sometimes where I work at the nursing home...
That is a sweet picture and such a precious memory to cherish.
So sad, but true. I don't know that there is anything at all that can be done about it.
ReplyDelete