Thoughts on living with teenagers: 'Despair' and 'Don't Wait Up'

Although technically a 'full-time' student at the time I wrote these poems, I was also working part-time and bringing up three very active, enthusiastic and busy teenagers. My house was never quiet (thank goodness). I'm sure many parents currently balancing work, studies and home-life will identify with the feelings reflected in these simple, though now somewhat dated, poems:

Despair

(by Jacqueline Stamp c.2003)

Simpsons on the telly

Nickleback on C.D.

G.T.A. on P.S. One

And hotmail on P.C.

Airfix on the table

With scissors, paint and glue

Trainers on the staircase

And sprinkles round the loo.

Footballs in the kitchen

Clothes on the settee

D.V.D.s by the fireplace

Is there any room for me?

My little babes,

So cute and cuddly,

Are now three teenagers

Tall, morose and muddly.

Simpsons on the telly

Nickleback on C.D.

G.T.A. on P.S. One

Is there any hope for me?

Don’t Wait Up

(by Jacqueline Stamp c.2003/04)

Don’t wait up. Mum,

I’ll be O.K.,

You worry too much;

You get in my way

Don’t wait up, Mum,

I’m not going to drink.

I’ll be fine to drive,

Whatever you think.

Don’t wait up, Mum,

I’ve got a key,

And my ‘phone’s fully charged,

So I’m quite safe, you see.

Don’t wait up, Mum,

The last words she said,

Then the doorbell woke me

And filled me with dread.

Don’t wait up, Mum,

It’s too late to cry;

Too late to worry;

Too late to say ‘Goodbye’.

Don’t wait up, Mum,

It’s time now to sleep,

And pray to the Lord

My soul to keep.