Nag Poem by Mary Wismer

Nag as it is commonly used today
Repeating what child knows
but has forgotten or has not heeded.
I dont mean petty faultfinding
or persistent scolding.

The voice pitch and intonation
make a great difference.
A mother who uses a harsh tone
Asking for argument and even definance.
She appears as the Child's adversary
rather than his helper.

If she heard a tape recording
of her customary tone in
Speaking to her Children
Perhaps she would discover
The main reason for their recalcitrance,
or for the breakdowns in communication.

13 January 2008