A view from the riverbank, the one left behind. A poem of transition, resistance, and acceptance. Posted in recognition of World Poetry Day 2022.
Rating G, 160 words
I penned this a few years ago, imagining Ben’s reaction to Adam’s departure and the uncertainty of his return.
THE RIVER
I watch you from the shore today
Quenching what I long to say
My head held high
A promise made
Though I yearn to break it
And beg you to stay
With tears as this river
That bears you away
Yet here I stand
And manage a smile
Eyes clear and dry
Though I weep inside
I am no match
For so strong a tide
Returning your wave
As you round the bend
My lips breathe farewell
With barely a sound
Like Autumn’s last leaf
Adrift to the ground
In trying to hold you
For love’s sake, though blind
A bittersweet truth
I’ve late come to know
It’s a far greater love
That now lets you go
No one can say
What tomorrow will bring
At the end of the day
What will be, will be
Each follows his own
Separate path to the sea
Sailing at the mercy of time
You have your river, and I mine.
Lovely poem which shows a loving parent’s sadness at their child’s leaving home for the last time. I have felt this as my only child left in 2010 to take a job 2,000 miles away. And, while I can travel to him in a matter of hours as compared to days, it is still hard, even more so after his father passed. I miss him every day.
Bonnie, I hear mostly from parents like you who understand how these “passages” in life tug at the heart, even years later. Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts. Blessings. 🙂
Lovely. I’ve never been a poet, and you’ve reminded me how much I wish I could capture emotion in only a few words.
Thank you for the lovely compliment, Belle. 🙂
That is a beautiful poem. That is just how I like to imagine how Adam left. It would have been hard for Ben to let him go. Especially as Adam had spent all his life with him, but he knew that just like he did, that Adam would want to make his own way one day.
Thank you, Chris. You’re always so kind to read and comment. 🙂
A wonderful but sad way to imagine their parting and the symbolism of the river is perfect. Life will keep flowing for both but now moving away from each other and probably never to intersect again. It’s an image I can keep in mind so easily to think of that moment. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing my vision, Betty. I appreciate your comments. 🙂
La traduction en français est à mon avis moins forte que le texte en anglais. Cependant, ce qui se passe dans le cœur de Ben est si fort, les sentiments son comme une une tempête sur la mer, les vagues submergent le cœur. Ensuite, presque plus de nouvelles du fils aîné, c’est déchirant.
Je suis française et je n’ai jamais vu l’épisode du départ d’Adam. Même pour une fan de Bonanza que je redécouvre à ma retraite, je suis émue des choses que j’apprend sur la série.
The French translation is in my opinion less strong than the English text. However, what is happening in Ben’s heart is so strong, the feelings sound like a storm on the sea, the waves overwhelm the heart. Then, almost more news from the eldest son, it’s heartbreaking. I am French and I have never seen the episode of Adam’s departure. Even for a Bonanza fan I’m rediscovering in retirement, I’m moved by the things I’m learning about the show.
Merci Monika d’avoir lu mon poème et d’avoir partagé vos pensées. Il n’y a pas d’épisode de Bonanza montrant le départ d’Adam; Je n’ai fait qu’imaginer ce que Ben a dû ressentir. En tant que mère de trois enfants adultes, j’ai eu des sentiments similaires. Et pour moi, l’image du fleuve est une analogie pour la vie, et la mer est la fin. Merci encore. 🙂
Thank you Monika for reading my poem and sharing your thoughts. There is no episode of Bonanza showing Adam’s departure; I just imagined how Ben must have felt. As a mother of three adult children, I had similar feelings. And for me, the image of the river is an analogy for life, and the sea is the end. Thank you again. 🙂
Merci pour votre réponse et votre information sur un épisode qui, finalement n’existe que dans ma tête. Je suis mère de deux enfants, pour ma fille ainée, ce déchirement s’est produit en moi également, sauf que mes larmes étaient bien réelles. C’est peux, mais 700 km nous séparent.
Thank you for your answer and your information about an episode that, in the end, exists only in my head. I am a mother of two children, for my eldest daughter, this heartbreak happened in me too, except that my tears were very real. It is possible, but 700 km separate us.
Heart rending. Of course, Ben also left his home to pursue his dream.
Yes he did, and that’s why he had to let Adam go. Thanks for reading and commenting, Trish. 🙂
I can see Ben’s face change in that one episode when Adam rides forward with a backward wave. It was a great piece of acting and your poem captures it beautifully. Thank you. graciouslady
Thank you for your gracious comments. 🙂
Excellent portrayal of a father having to let go of his child. I especially loved these lines
I’ve late come to know
It’s a far greater love
That now lets you go
Thank you for sharing this :0)
Love by its nature is not selfish. Thank you, bahj. 🙂
This was beautiful and something which all parents have to face. Although, back then, it must have been so much harder, as there were no easy and quick ways to remain in touch, so when you said goodbye it must have been really scary
Little Joe forever
You’re right, Lynne, we certainly have that advantage over the parents in Ben’s day. Thanks for taking time to read and comment. 🙂
That really tugs at the heartstrings. The last lines are haunting and beautiful.
Thank you for the lovely compliment, AC. 🙂
Lovely…thank you.
Thank you kaicee. 🙂
Beautifully written, what every parent comes to realize and must accept.
We do everything we can to get them ready for the world, but it’s hard to let them go, isn’t it? Thanks, jojay. 🙂
Love that last line: “You have your river, and I mine.” A sentiment every parent comes to know in the fullness of time.
That’s true, a lesson that doesn’t always come easy. Thanks for commenting, Cheaux. 🙂
OMG i cried. So much feelings and longings in this poem.
I see Ben looking at the water. The love he feels for Adam.
Thank you
I am touched by your comments. Thank you very much. 🙂