Lessons from Auntie Lala

I've been working on this poem for a few weeks trying to keep it from sounding too Hallmark-ish. (Or would that be hallmark-y?) However, I have resigned myself to the fact that this poem has a certain hoke-factor I can't control as of yet.

Needing some words for the blog instead of just showing off the photo to the left, which is my sister's holiday card of my nephew in his dashing tux (which I got for him last year), I revised this poem yet again. I welcome any comments and suggestions. I am not too happy with the title, so suggestions are welcome on that as well.




Lessons from Auntie Lala

never forget that everything is new
and should be explored
even if you already
think you know what it is

sing songs when your favorite
relatives come to visit
or when your Mom makes
that special casserole after Thanksgiving

take apart the toaster when it’s broken
just to see how it used to work
do your best to fix it – but
for your parents’ sake – unplug it first

discover who you are
reading every book written
by authors you like
and some from those you don’t

talk to strangers at family picnics
they’ll tell you stories
about when your parents
did embarrassing things at your age

practice making funny faces
in the bathroom mirror
then step back to see your own
beautiful natural face

don’t argue with your mother
about your clothes
unless you can explain
how they make you feel unique

goof off for hours every summer
until you see the fireflies
then lie on your back and
create new names for the stars

ponder alien life
find life forms
alien to you under rocks
in your backyard

cry when your ice cream
falls on the ground
laugh when it happens
to someone else

experience all
your emotions
but don’t let them
control your behaviors

believe in the power of God
but don’t confuse
the power with the idea
ideas change over time

never forget that everything is new
even when it seems to be
exactly the same
as something else

ltv