Home » Poems » Bernard Chan » The Lost Years

The Lost Years

The photos stopped when you were 10 or 11. Around that time, you started refusing to have your pictures taken. A few candid shots are all I’ve managed since then. In them, the look on your face is growing inward, as a cocoon slowly encloses you in a translucent mystery, turning you into a dark silhouette as you start to construct your own parallel universe, in a tug of war with a thousand things you are just starting to learn the meaning of, morphing into what the world will know, what I will, with any luck, recognize only with squinted eyes when the cocoon reopens. For now, I can’t see you. All I can do is wait.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Diane Perna

Date: 2/13/2023 12:38:00 PM

Profound! I can relate!

Bray Holt

Date: 2/9/2023 11:03:00 PM

The Lost Years is a brilliant expression of a wise parental observation. Well done and thank you for it.

Richard Morris

Date: 2/9/2023 2:26:00 PM

Great poem of how to greet each day.

Al Juman

Date: 7/9/2018 12:18:00 PM

indeed this was well written

Bernard Chan
Date: 7/9/2018 8:11:00 PM

Thank you, Al. Glad you liked it.

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 6/19/2018 10:19:00 PM

This is brilliant Bernard. A fave :) xomo!

Bernard Chan
Date: 6/20/2018 9:47:00 AM

Hey, thanks a lot, Maureen :)

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 6/10/2018 5:49:00 PM

Hello Bernard, I have enjoyed your poem. We all have lost years Bernard. Have a nice evening my friend.

Bernard Chan
Date: 6/11/2018 4:48:00 AM

Thanks for dropping by again, Darlene, and for your lovely comment. You have a nice evening, too :)

Joe Dimino

Date: 6/9/2018 7:08:00 PM

Well done, Bernard; deep and heartfelt. Often the world shapes things away from us...a temptation to change--not to be left behind alone. But, really, one's own truth intact far exceeds a world of others.

Bernard Chan
Date: 6/10/2018 7:13:00 AM

Thanks very much, Joe. Appreciate it.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/12/2018 3:30:00 AM

I love this poem; it is going to my FAV list. You have captured the essence of the pre-teen years, and you are wise enough to know it's only temporary.

Bernard Chan
Date: 5/12/2018 9:54:00 AM

I know it's only temporary because that's what I've been told by other parents, so the wisdom is not mine. Thank you very much, Caren :)

Vijay Pandit

Date: 5/8/2018 7:19:00 AM

This is such a powerful observation..I can relate to the experience you describe so well, when our kids approach teenage years..a natural inclination for independence..well captured Bernard.

Bernard Chan
Date: 5/8/2018 10:47:00 AM

Thanks a lot for dropping by again, Vijay, and for your generous comment. Great talking to you again.