Taking responsibility for our actions is a
powerful Natural Energy Booster.
I was enjoying the afternoon at our 'Poetry in Paradise' on the deck of the Treehouse Gallery, listening to poets presenting their original work. The variety was amazing, but Brian Crelley's poem stood out as a wonderful story to illustrate how taking responsibility at an early age can shape our lives.
Brian has given me permission to publish his poem on my blog. If you wish to share it, please acknowledge the author.
THE SMARTEST DAD OF ALL
They caught us in the school tuck shop, my hands in a lolly jar.
Rick was sipping on a can of coke, Al munching on a chocolate bar.
Our pockets stuffed with goodies, as a copper walked in the door.
He knew us all by our first names, and we knew him from before.
We had busted the door off its hinges; the noise must have been too loud,
Cause as they loaded us into the van there was a gathering crowd.
The month would have been April. The year was fifty nine.
I was going on to twelve years of age, and it was Easter time.
They charged us with break and enter, and stealing from the school.
Dad was mad when they took me home, and called me ‘a bloody fool’.
Mum was terribly upset, but said she would take me to court on the day.
But she had to assure Dad she’d be fine, and it would be okay.
This was our first court appearance, but we had all been in trouble before.
We were all very sure we’d get out of it, but nobody knew for sure.
I could see that Mum was worrying. I saw a tear start up in her eye.
I could see the other parents watching. I whispered, ‘Mum, please don’t cry’.
She said, ‘I’ll ring your father. I’ll get him to come from work.
I’ll ask that man if I can use his phone, the sign says he’s the County Clerk’.
Our case was to be heard after lunch, and their lunch was two hours long.
By now Mum’s tears were plentiful. I whispered, ‘Come on Mum, be strong’.
Dad arrived, and Mum went home, and I could see the man was pissed.
I felt like running away right then, but I knew that I’d be missed.
We went into court at 2.15, the room painted a sombre grey,
And our judge, we heard, was in a foul mood, he’d already sent two boys away.
The charges were read out by the clerk, and I stared at the judge’s face.
He said, ‘What you four boys have done, was a bloody disgrace.’
Then he turned and asked all of us there to reflect on it for a while.
Then starting at one end, each parent got up to say something about their child.
Alan’s Mum got up to speak. She said that we made Al go along.
And Alan was such a very nice boy, but he was never very strong.
The other parents said their sons were good, just the company they were in,
And if he was to let us other boys go free, it will be a bloody sin.
Next it was Dad’s turn to speak, and we stood up side by side.
He said, ‘I won’t blame these other boys, and say my son went along for the ride.
He has a loving family, and he’s known right from wrong from the start,
But if you feel he should be sent away, it might break his mother’s heart.
But I’ll explain to her your reasons, and say you did what you thought best.
And to keep her head held up high, and stand up to the test.’
Well, I just stood there staring. I couldn’t believe what I heard him say.
Was he telling the judge it was all right by him if they sent his son away?
The judge went back to the first boy, and said, ‘I’m putting you in a home,
Where you will spend the next ninety days, with little space to roam.’
The next two boys got the same, then he turned and faced my dad,
‘I believe your son has learned a lesson, he knew what he did was bad.
So I’ll place him on a good behaviour bond, it will be harder in a way.
I’ll make it a year, and if he faces me again, I’ll send him away that day.’
Dad and I couldn’t believe what we heard, we had a grin from ear to ear.
Dad went over and thanked the judge, then said, ‘Let’s get out of here.’
I remember the look on one parent’s face, a look of shock as I recall.
As I walked away holding the hand of the smartest Dad of all.
© Brian Crelley 2006 Tugun Queensland (Reprinted with permission.)
Live with Energy
Joan
Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com
Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com
