Emotional Deprivation

By Rhiannonw

Fri, 21 Mar 2014
  • 2289 reads
10 comments
 

This is based not on an extreme case, but it has highlighted to me the effects that this can have

A pleasant man this Dad,
but wholly self-absorbed,
no thought to ask his growing lad
about his daily world.

Hard-working, caring Mum,
efficient and polite,
unable to converse and chat,
her inward thoughts shut tight.

Some suffer from abuse,
or physical neglect,
the consequences of this lack
are harder to detect.

A legacy of hurt,
and insecurity,
a lifelong disability,
emotional fragility.

The roots may stretch far back
for many a generation
but also can trail on
cause future deprivation.

But, responding well to warmth
and good communication
can stem the inward onward trail
of lonely isolation.

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Love

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

This is a really well worded poem, Rhiannon. The sentiments ring true - this kind of neglect, although not usually meant as such can be just as damaging as any other.

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for the feedback, Bee. Yes, not so easy to discern, and understand and help, but causing hurt and difficulties. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

Interesting. Maybe the child would respond to the stability of the home and when older would understand the parents inability to communicate and learn to do better themself. We can learn a lot from reading one another's writing too.

This sounds like a wild tangent here and i shall share it anyhow. The writing that has taught me by far the most since I have been part of Abc is Starfish's little tale about a family of couch potatoes who sit around living their reality TV shows. Very much like a branch of one of my daughter's father's extended family. And I finally understood why in a good way. It is about comfort pure and simple. They all pile into each others little council flats on the edge of Edinburgh and use as much central heating as they can afford and share as much food as they can afford and yes they are all big and they eat big plateloads. They are all very much emotionally there for one another and loyal to one another as a family group. The outside world can sometimes seem cold and hard. They do the best they can and they get a lot right.

Keep writing Rhiannon I enjoy reading your work          Elsie

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for the comment and encouragement, Elsie. A lot of positive about the Edinburgh family too.

Concerning the family in the verse, yes, I tried to indicate at the end, the lack of emotional sharing doesn't have to continue, and having plenty of good friendships and maybe understanding marriage and extended family can help to 'break the cycle' I think.
nice to see you around a bit - in moderation! Rhiannon
 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

A lot of thought has gone into this poem, Rhiannon, and it shows. 

I agree with what you say, and I can' help but wonder if part of the cause is the fact that just a small minority of families now, sit down and share a meal together...at the very least, once a week.  So important, I feel, and I'm glad that my daughter carried on the practice with her family.

I much enjoyed your poem, and it is certainly food for thought, if you will excuse the pun.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Tina, and you have given thought to your comment also. Yes, I'm sure that sitting down together should be an invaluable way to open up and encourage family communications and, simply chatting. And so an interest is taken, love shown, even healthy argument can show concern and emotion, and help the emotional balance of the children.  In the family situation I'm thinking of, there probably was some sitting down to meals, but I don't think it did help much. Again, thank you for your commenting. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

Interesting poem this - and no doubt true in many families.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello Rhiannon,

What you have written here is the reality for some families and it is deprivation although of a different kind but still deprivation.  Not sitting down together at mealtimes is a wasted opportunity although I accept that some people cannot do this because of work commitments.  However, I do think talking at the table after a meal is a very sociable thing to do and helps children with their emotional development.

In any event a  worthwhile and well written poem that I enjoyed reading.

Moya

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Moya. This one had been on the back-burner for some time, but I thought it worthwhile getting it finished and 'publishing' it. It can be easy to just attend to the physical needs of children, but not realise how cut off and unsure of themselves they feel if not talked to in an interested way. I have heard that in extreme cases a child preferred to be hit than ingnored.
Rhiannon