Jessica Oyelowo Instagram – To Asher, Caleb and Penuel,
My son, forget not the ocean as you hunt around its shore
For all the bits of buried treasure for you the sea does store.
In the beauty of the tiny there is so much joy to have,
But the crashing of the rolling waves must be acknowledged, my lad.
For we think we have it figured, we think we know it all,
But just one look back out to sea and we see our treasures are small.
Don’t be like those of Plato who live chained up in dens.
They thought because they saw great shadows, they had become great men.
Don’t be the ones enlightened who reached the mountaintop
Only to be blinded by the glow of enlightenment all puffed up.
Be strong in your desire to serve your fellow man
To take the greatness you’ve achieved and give it to the least of them.
Be true to your true mission in which art your heart believes.
Know that in all your doing you must not be deceived,
For wealth and fame are passing and beauty fades away,
But in the giving of your artistry you have become what is great.
Be contented in your temper, work with happiness and calm
As when the strain of age befalls your nature will be your balm.
Just because you blink sometimes, it doesn’t make you blind
And just because you read a book, you don’t understand mankind.
Be humble in your wisdom as there’s always more to know,
Or wisdom becomes a clanging bell, just the cawing of the crow.
My son, do not forget the ocean as you paddle at its shore.
We’re just beginning to get our feet wet, soon we’ll get soaked to the core.
Love, Mum x For my lovely boys (and for Zoe after she was born). This is the poem that inspired the song in the last post! This takes me back to when I was their mum and their teacher and their guide and their world. I wanted to do such a good job and failed every single day. Thank God kids love their parents the way they do, because my kids have learned a lot of good things from @davidoyelowo and I and forgiven us for (most of) the bad 😅 Teach your children by modeling love and grace to them, without shame or blame and watch them grow into stunning adults who make this world amazing 🤩 | Posted on 23/Sep/2023 17:20:00
