I wrote my poem THE PARENTAL THINKER for the W3 Prompt #72: Wea’ve Written Weekly The poem was many years in the making, for which I thank my two sons, who must accept some of the blame. Er, I mean acclaim.
THE PROMPT
Nigel Byng is the Poet of the Week and here are his poetry prompt guidelines:
Write an Ekphrastic Poem based on the photo of Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker
Theme: Good Parenting;
Rhyming: Left to your discretion
THE PARENTAL THINKER My chin is resting on my hand, My elbow on my knee, I am thinking of my two boys, And what they mean to me. I sit and think, And think, And think. If I knew where my clothes were right now, I’d go down to the pub for a drink. I try really hard to be a good parent, My boys are always playing pranks, And is this all the thanks I get? Is this all the thanks? Where would I be without them? I’d look years younger, (that’s for sure) I sit here worrying and thinking. (My grey hairs are premature) Am I a good father? (or I should say mother) I’ve tried my best, I have. There is no other love, no other That bursts so full inside my breast. Nor any other that’s so much greater than the rest. I never expected parenting would be so hard. No one told me what to do, Or how the best way was. Did they tell you? Did they tell you? I follow my instincts, That’s the only way, is it not? To change a nappy, Make them happy. When a nose is runny, You wipe away the snot. When a day is hot and sunny You shade them from the heat. In the dark of winter’s cold of night, You keep them warm and give them a sweet (dentists don’t recommend this) and hold them tight. When a knee is grazed, you dab on some ointment, Guard them from danger and disappointment. Give them food and nurture, Raise them for the future. I can sit here all day thinking, Wondering what they are at? What are they doing? And worrying Thinking all day long. How did I do as a parent? How apparent is that? At least they’ve grown up strong. So, I must’ve done something right. I can’t have done it wrong. Day and night I sit and think, And think, And think. And wonder Where they are? Where are they? Are they safe? Are they happy? Are they sick? Their childhood went so quick. Where did it go? Oh, the joys of having two boys, The joys of watching them grow. The quieting of my oaths, And my wanting to know, Where on earth did they hide all my clothes? Lesley Scoble, September 2023
A little bit about…
THE THINKER by Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) sculpted his Thinker in 1880. It is one of the most iconic sculptures in art history. First created as part of a larger composition known as The Gates of Hell. Rodin worked on this for many years. The figure depicts the poet Dante Alighieri (or believed to be so), and was first known as The Poet. A thinking poet—what more could you want!
The EY Exhibition: The Making of Rodin at the Tate
My local art gallery is the Tate Modern, London, and in 2021 I was fortunate to see The EY Exhibition: The Making of Rodin. It was a unique collaboration between the Musée Rodin collection and the Tate, showing works I’d never seen before. Rodin sculpted different versions of The Thinker in plaster, marble, and cast bronze. The plaster casts of The Thinker enthralled me. Rodin is one of my favourite sculptors.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My thanks to David, The Skeptic’s Kaddish for your weekly poetry challenge. My thanks also, to Poet of the Week, Nigel, for his ruminative poetry prompt.
Me and my boys!
“At least they’ve grown up strong.
So, I must’ve done something right.
I can’t have done it wrong.”
Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright, (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.
LesleyScoble.com 
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