My Jewels

By luigi_pagano

Sun, 13 Dec 2015
  • 1693 reads
6 comments
 

‘That’s my mummy’
exclaims James,
my grandson,
and points at a photo
on the wall.

‘Yes, darling,
and the one next to her
is her sister,
your auntie Emma’,
I explain.

He loses interest,
goes to his toys box
and comes back
with a book.
‘You want to read this’,
he says.

How uncanny;
the same request
was made of me
by two little tots
a long time ago.

My mind, now active,
goes back to the past
recalling the infancy
of my two daughters,
and their first
hesitant steps.

I watched their progress
as they grew up,
sometime with  anxiety
that they might falter
but I also felt pride
in their achievements.

If I were told to describe
what they mean to me,
I’d like to echo a phrase
that Cornelia Gracchi
once uttered when asked
where her jewellery was.

She turned and pointed
at her children saying:
‘ these are my jewels’.

© Luigi Pagano 2015

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

How lovely, Luigi. Having grandchildren does bring back beautiful memories, and makes new ones at the same time. I enjoyed your poem. Made me think of my own bright jewels. 

Bee

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Every parent considers their children to be treasures and I can see that you too think of yours as bright jewels, Bee. They can make our life sparkle and bring pleasure. Their offspring can revive fond memories of their development.
Thanks for letting me know you liked the poem. I was afraid that those sentiments might be too maudlin.

Luigi x

 

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Precious thoughts, and it doesn't mean that we don't see their failings, and they ours, too! Hopefully more precious to give to the world than a rich treasure too. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

We must realise that, just like precious stones, the children who are our pride and joy might not be flawless and the utmost care is needed in such a situation. Nurturing an infant is a very delicate operation which requires expert and considerate handling. First and foremost the parents have to have - and show - exemplary ethics that will determine a child's good behaviour.
Thanks, Rhiannon, for your incisive comment.

Luigi x

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

This is an adorable poem Luigi,

full of happy memories of your young daughters and now you are creating memories of your treasured grandson through your poetry.

Very much enjoyed reading.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Dear Jenny, reading your story I saw that you had great love for your son and that emotion is true of many parents who treasure their offspring. When children grow up that affection doesn't fade and it is reinforced through the arrival of grandchildren.

Luigi xx