I am a man, father, friend, lover
I could be superman, Mr Universe,
Anyone I choose in this space
But those who know me would say liar lair pants on fire.
As I age I find I am confronted by the prefix ex.
Ex–husband, ex-teacher, ex-lover
My ex factor is no wow factor.
I love my amazing children
They guard and protect me
Should they perceive a threat
They rally round me
Hackles raised, in my defence.
I am lucky they love me
My adult children, caring, ever thoughtful
For my happiness.
But when all is said and done
I can only be me,
A man unlike other men
A man of words and action
Unique
A man of humour and insight
A man I am happy spending my days with.
Written for: http://dversepoets.com/2014/05/13/poetics-those-pesky-questions-of-identity/
Morpethroad 
when we are happy enough to live with ourselves…that is enough isnt it…ha…better than the alternative….cause if i dont like myself its not like i can walk away…its cool your kids rally around you as well…its funny, when they were young, we did that for them…
Thanks Brian it’s how it happens as we get older they see us as the vulnerable ones.
That’s all any of us can do Michael, be happy with who we are in the end.
Thanks Jackie I appreciate you.
Nice to happy in your skin. After all you spend all your time with yourself.
So true Kim. Thanks for the comment.
Lovely poem, Michael. Correction (and you can ask your kids this for clarification and your former students) you are superman:)
Oh Oliana stop that, I’ll start to believe and then I’ll have to buy a bigger hat size.
Well, wear a tuque like we do in Quebec…they stretch…or that nice beany you have 😀
The beanie is for looking at now days, I think if I wore it too much it might begin to unravel, its old like me.
WE are NOT old 😉
You may not be! Still a child aren’t you compared to me?
ahahahha…you are too kind!
Some truths I have to face Oliana.
yep – when we accept ourselves without pretenses life becomes much clearer !
Thanks Bill, I appreciate your comment.
I think we have to enjoy spending time with ourselves, no matter what age we are. We are never ex-human or ex-important! No matter what, we are ex-traspecial to some people in our world! First and foremost, to ourselves.
So very true Mary and thank you for your comment and yes I am extraspecial as you put it, I like that idea.
To reach that point of happiness when alone is so important.
Thanks Laurie, yes and you are ok with it.
Wow, yes, I guess that as we move forward in life, we can expect ex’s of many kinds in our wake. Love the closing. Looking forward . . .
Thanks so much Linda, the ex’s may be there but there are other exciting adventures awaiting me.
no better feeling than to be happy in your skin! and about your kids… smiles. I do the same with my mom.
Thanks Anthony I appreciate your comment.
i think so often these days..we do end up being x this and x that..
but to be me and never x me..
is truly the best love of all..
and sure having those who love us2..anyone who might do this for us..
is icing on the cake of being love..
So true, thank you for your comment.
smiles… it is good when we feel comfortable spending time with ourselves… i think self-acceptance is huge – and making peace with ourselves and the past
Thank you Claudia, self acceptance is so important in living everyday.
It’s great when we really like to spend the time with ourselves.. Love the start of this – switching into honesty..
Thanks so much for reading and your comment Bjorn.
I love that in the end there is gratitude & acceptance:
A man I am happy spending my days with. I hope that when I’m older, my children will care for me in that special way too ~ Kindness begets kindness & this begins at home ~
Thanks for the personal share Michael ~
Thanks for your kind comment Grace, I am very lucky in so many ways, even with super protective children…lol
It’s a gift to have acceptance and love for who we are. I love this!
Thank you so much ayala, I hope you have a good day.
A man I am happy spending my days with… powerful line.
Thank you so much, very happy you enjoyed that line.
We sometimes can annoy ourselves, but in the end we must be content with who we are. Your children will always protect you and man of humour that you are. Great lines Michael. Sorry I am tired again, so this comment is probably ..well..meh
Thank you Jenny, once again a very generous and kind comment.
“As I age I find I am confronted by the prefix ex”..i like this line and Mary’s response to it…love your
closing lines…
Thank you Sumana, I am happy you have read and enjoyed my poem.
ah! you forgot one – you are a poet
Thank you John. I tend to think of myself a person who shapes words and makes them fit an idea I have. I appreciate your kind words.
That last line says it all. We all have those ex factors to contend with (for me, ex-nun!) and they are a part of who we are today. And so it is.
Ex-nun, well I have met a few of those who turned out to be wonderful women, then again I was taught by a few nuns who were not very good women at all. Thanks Victoria I am sure your decision to be an ex-nun was a good one for you.
Heeeeeey – You forgot an ex that describes you ….Extraordinary!
Oh RoSy, you are too kind, being me is hard enough, don’t put such pressure on me.
I enjoyed your self-portrait, Michael. I like your connections with your kids and the self-acceptance at the end.
Thank you Gabriella I don’t exist without them, even if they are over protective of me, especially these days.
In the end, we can only be what we are – love that self-acceptance, with humility and humour. And well done for having such wonderful, supportive children – hope mine will be too…
They will be Marina, the secret I think is to hang in there with them and let them grow and be the people they are. Not everyone seems to be able to do that but now days with them all grown and adults I enjoy an extraordinary relationship with each of them. I just spent time this morning with two of my girls, both expecting babies, listening to their tales of life as they see it. That I share in their lives I so enjoy I am lucky in that regard.
Hope you don’t mind my saying that there might be a single lady out there who would read this a find you most attractive; anyone who lives alone and is not lonely but knows how to entertain himself is good husband material I think…..perhaps there is someone on the horizon.;)
Ha, what a fascinating comment kathy, hmm,…..there may well be.