Talking of Michelangelo

Cover Page From 1917
United States
May 29, 2025 3:50pm CST
When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first came out, I was 16 and thought I was too old for it. A few years later, I met my fiancé—he was two years older than me and absolutely loved the Ninja Turtles! I remember thinking, “Maybe it’s time he grew up.” Then I remembered all the older women I knew who wore Disney and Winnie the Pooh and realized we all have our own ways of holding onto childhood. That realization inspired this poem, “Talking of Michelangelo”—a playful mix of T.S. Eliot and pop culture, about how we say goodbye to our youth, but never really leave it behind. TALKING OF MICHAELANGELO All the ways we said, “goodbye” to our childhood, teens, etc. Sometimes we wish we could go back- and yet, we all know better... In the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, and Raphael, too... Let us go then and learn ninjutsu When the evening is spread out against the sky, Let us go and make our visit… Through half-deserted streets, the whispering ooze, Of restless drains and flickering neon blues That lead us to the lair beneath the world- Where shells are burdened and destiny is swirled. The pizza box, the sai, the staff and sword, Lie waiting in the hush of sewer ward. Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” Let us go and make our visit. In the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, and Raphael, too... And indeed there will be time To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?” Time to turn back and ascend the stair. To rise beyond the shadows where we played, To greet the dawn, though memories fade, And step into the world anew, unafraid. Now married to those women. Have you ever caught yourself judging someone for loving something “childish,” only to realize you do the same? What are the childhood things you or your loved ones still cherish?
6 people like this
6 responses
@Ronrybs (20891)
• London, England
30 May
I don't think of others as childish as I know there is a 10 year inside me forever trying to get out!
3 people like this
@Ronrybs (20891)
• London, England
3 Jun
@Chellezhere A nice age!
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Jun
@Ronrybs We moved across country when I was two. I did not like that. My parents fought and divorced when I was four. Mom and I moved back home. Dad stayed behind. The kids in kindergarten and first grade were not the best. I'm almost 60 now and still struggle with abandonment at times.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jun
I hear you there, but I think my inner child is either two, four, or six.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (357978)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May
I read somewhere that the traits we despise in others are those we have ourselves. I think there is some truth to that.
3 people like this
• United States
30 May
I agree. have read that somewhere, too. It's a psychological concept called "projection."
2 people like this
@JudyEv (357978)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 May
@Chellezhere That's interesting.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (145035)
• Roseburg, Oregon
30 May
I liked the poem and I like wearing character shirts.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 May
Thank you. I showed it to my 30-year-old son, and he shared it with his buddies (all between 19 and 40—some married, some not). They liked it, too.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20716)
• United States
3 Jun
Nice poem. My boyfriend is going to turn 50 this year and he is still a " big kid." I still love Disney movies. I once liked Ninja Turtles too.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Jun
Honestly, none of us actually grows up. What we do is grow old.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36118)
• Canada
31 May
I enjoy many things that I enjoyed as a child. Hubby is 81 and living his childhood dream playing shinny (hockey) every week.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jun
I enjoy a lot of things from my childhood, too. This morning, I was working on a newsletter that a friend and I have been creating long distance. On the last page, I only saw the word "In"—no thoughts or suggestions from her—just "In." So, I changed the font color and typed (dubitibly?) next to it. In(dubitibly?) That was the first word that came to mind. And where and when do I first remember hearing it? ABC (USA TV Station) Schoolhouse Rock's "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here," on April 13, 1974.
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (194036)
• United States
30 May
Good poem. I don't have any childish things that I can think of.
2 people like this
• United States
30 May
Thank you. I can't see its face anymore, but I have an Eeyore watch that I will sometimes wear when I know I am going to be around children.
2 people like this
• United States
2 Jun
@LindaOHio I love Marvin the Martian, too!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (194036)
• United States
31 May
@Chellezhere You're welcome. Now that I think about it, I have a Marvin the Martian watch and stuffed animal.
1 person likes this