A Boy aged Seven, is dedicated to my grandson Luke, realising he may struggle with exam fears as memories of my own school days resurface. The overwhelming pressure, the knot in the stomach and understanding that exams can feel all-consuming in the moment. I want to reach out and ease any anxieties life may present him, all of that is denied by estrangement now permeating into future generations.
Tests fail to capture the whole of a person’s abilities or worth, they are just one part of a larger journey, and the resulting scores do not define you. I hope he has the determination, dignity and resilience within his DNA to build self-belief and confidence, to be his own man.
For a mother, watching her 7-year-old son grow and develop brings a unique blend of joy, pride, and reflection. At this age, children are beginning to show more of their personalities and potential, and a mother might see glimpses of the man he could one day become. A time that inspires a mother to think about her role in guiding him, fostering qualities like kindness, resilience, and responsibility, all while cherishing his innocence and curiosity.
The phrase “maketh me the man” can resonate deeply, as it suggests that this little boy’s growth and learning are not only shaping his own future but also impacting the mother’s life in meaningful ways. Raising a child brings out strengths in you never knew you had, and in nurturing his character, you develop patience, compassion, and sense of purpose. This mutual growth becomes one of the most beautiful and transformative aspects of parenthood, even in estrangement.
A Boy Aged Seven
Seven
Aged seven
Boy aged seven
Little boy aged seven
A little boy aged seven
I’m a little boy aged seven
I am a little boy aged seven sat
I am a little boy aged seven sat sitting
I am a little boy aged seven sat sitting SATS
Sat sitting SATS! SATS! A little boy aged seven!
My imagination and creativity has the natural world to explore.
Let me discover through cultural education, please no testing anymore.
Read more of Janice’s work here:
There’s No Such Thing as an Englishman
There’s No Such Thing as an Englishman is an anthology of poetry from an irritated England and marks the many sources of irritation faced by the average Englishman or woman these days – everything from the railways to referenda via what ever it is the young call music these days.
It was launched on 31 January 2020 – the day when the UK left the European Union and when the phenomenon known as Brexit finally, we liked to think, finally evaporated and all those years of frustration, anger, sheer disbelief and irritation all come to rest. But as Chairman Mao once said about what he thought the effects of the French Revolution were, it was way too soon to tell.
But its two authors – Nick Owen and Janice Owen – have become accomplished at becoming irritated at many facets of life in England over the years and hope that you, dear reader, will find some solace in knowing that you are not alone when it comes to feeling frustrated, pissed off, angry or just good old fashioned irritated.
Being English though, means we’ve just reached a level of irritation and aren’t quite ready to riot. Yet.
