Posted on by Sonia Dogra

BOOMER EFFECT

Dear Readers,

Suddenly, the world feels like a mishmash. Every time I blink my eyes, something new pops up—a massive influx of people going about their lives, a nearly invisible indifference to everything until it wriggles its way up our bones. Most times a few tut-tuts are enough to move on. Then there’s also the thing about being seen. How much of it is enough for us to believe we exist?

As I grow in years, I fear this fast-changing world—not for myself, but for my children. When my mother-in-law neared death, it was clear she wanted to pass on, yet something held her back. During a recent conversation with a friend who lost her mother, I learnt how she sat next to her ailing mom, reassuring her that she would be fine, that they would meet later in the afterlife and be together again.

As a parent, I want to shield my children from the increasingly perilous world. Even as I believe they are capable of looking after themselves, the worry that they may not be able to if I’m not around, hovers over me like a drone (look those are what come to my mind in this war-torn, diseased, climate-wounded, debilitating world).

I’ve been following Poetry Town by George Bilgere for a very long time now, along with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer’s poetry. I find both relatable and love to emulate the styles they bring to my inbox. Inspired by their many poems I’ve read, here is something to celebrate the parent-child bond. How sometimes we act funny and weird and foolish for moments that mean far more than we’d ever imagine.

BOOMER EFFECT

After the road journey I shuffle pictures

on my phone—

a mulish boulder that wouldn’t leave the road

blended with a dad-joke to make you chuckle,

a gang of monkeys running alongside the car

baring their teeth as we rush past them,

a mountain of oranges on a vendor’s cart—

your father and I touching our tall glasses

as we guzzle the tangy drink

leaving a deliberate foam moustache

over our lips and an exasperated you-guys-look

on your face.

Another one, him and me,

this time by a stream few metres off the road,

you shouting for us to get back,

mouthing ‘what age are you’

while we splash at each other.

You didn’t join us in any of the pictures

but I see your giggles and smiles

outside the frame.

Picking my favourites for a reel, I ask you

to help, choosing a retro 90s number to go along,

faulting, pausing, making blunders,

only so you may stay longer and chide and laugh and say—

That’s so Boomer!

*********************

Thank you for reading! For those of you who have been following my middle grade chapter book journey, I am glad to share that the book has been picked by Bare Bones Publishing. Stay tuned for more updates! And a big thank you for staying by my side.

[This post is part of ‘Verse Wave Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters]

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52 Replies to “BOOMER EFFECT”

  1. Loved the gangs of monkeys, No monkeys here, just sheep, mostly just wandering, sometimes a whole flock, being taken for a walk by a farmer. Cattle can be tricky –especially (trying to ) reassure nervous tourists , explain that bulls are usually fine., watch out for cows with calves. .

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  2. the boomer effect resonates with me because I see myself in that category sometimes and otherwise I am the millenial with still a kid in me. Loved how you captured the road trip

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  3. hahaha.. I think that’s exactly how I would behave if I were a parent too.. coz tbh that’s how I behave anyway, lol.. As always, loved the poem, Sonia. Glad to have you in ECM community 🙂

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  4. I was deeply moved by your portrayal of the golden-brown beauty—your vivid descriptions transported me to that sunlit moment, craving its warmth. Your writing reminds me to slow down, savor small joys, and find beauty in the subtle, everyday details of life.

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  6. This poem is so relatable in many aspects. It vividly captures the road experience. Simple and meaningful… much like many of your creations.

    I am a BIG fan of your writing. The beauty and ease with which you pen gems. Congratulations and my best wishes for your book.

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  7. This was such a fun and thoughtful read! Loved how you wove nostalgia with insight, the “boomer effect” felt both relatable and refreshingly honest. Brought a smile and a few memories too!

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  8. This was such a nostalgic read. It reminded me of all the road trips I have taken with my parents, when they were young and cringe and I was the one rolling my eyes. Now, I’m the one splashing as they roll their eyes, wondering when their daughter will “grow up” 😀 😀

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  9. The generational gap is so well-highlighted through the use of photographs, road trips and the ever-necessary question of ‘how old were you’. Took me on a nostalgic trip. Even while reading it again, it leaves a lovely taste on the mind!

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  10. This is such sweet heart-warming poem. It took me back to time where we waited for photographs to get developed, the candid pics really meant something then and how beautifully you explained the boomer effect. Also what a lovely witty nostalgic style of poetry.. Amazinggg!!!!

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  11. Wow this is so heart-wrenching. Just recently I’ve learned about this word, Boomer. My grandmother is from the silent generation. But your boomer hits too close to home.

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  12. “Only so you may longer….”…sigh they never do, do they? This was such a lovely, relateable, candid poem. I had a smile while reading this, I could imagine myself in front of the camera and the kiddo’s rolling their eyes, making snarky comments, and still taking a perfect shot.

    Very well done Sonia, and congratulations on the book!

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  13. A heartfelt poem which resonated deep with me. The joys and perils of parenthood go side by side, the fear of missing the moments and staying a bit longer with your children is so beautifully depicted through your poem. The road journey and realistic description make your words come alive like a visual.

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  15. What stands out is your candid blend of humor and heart ; playful with the younger generation, protective about their future, and deeply in love with the chaos of family life. Beautifully written and felt.

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  16. First of all congratulations for your book. Your poem is a real reflction of the mechanical world today, where we don’t take time to pause and reflect.

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  17. Lovely poem, quite like you, I think: gentle humour, joy-filled, and loving. The “mulish boulder,” “gang of monkeys,” and “mountain of oranges” create vivid snapshots. The “foam moustache” and the child’s “you-guys-look” glare capture a perfect blend of childlike playfulness and parental goofiness. The comic jab in the last line gets strainght between the reader’s ribs, I suppose.

    By the way, do you belong to the Baby Boomer Gen? Just curious.

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  18. There are so many memories nestling in this poem filled with warm giggly moments, the monkeys running alongside, the foam moustache and the retro music. It leaves the reader with a fuzzy feeling in the heart. If only we could keep these moments within our palms forever! Congratulations on your publishing deal, Sonia! That’s truly a purple patch!

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  19. This poem and the preceding narrative truly touched my soul because somewhere we all carry that quiet worry in our hearts. Beautifully penned! Congratulations on your publishing deal!

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  21. Reading “Boomer Effect” felt like sneaking into someone’s scrapbook and finding the heart behind each candid frame. I loved how you start with that perfect scene of shuffling through road-trip photos—dad’s pun, monkeys darting by, and that foam mustache moment—and suddenly I was right there, drinking in the chaos and the warmth. I laughed at the vintage 90s playlist pause where you shamelessly kept messing up just to keep the family banter going—classic “That’s so Boomer!” vibes. It’s wild how a few snapshots and playful teasing can show so much love and longing woven in between the fun. As a parent myself (or one day soon to be), I totally get the urge to freeze these moments, desperate to keep your kiddo around just a bit longer in the frame. The poem and the backstory about worrying for our kids in this fast-changing world hit deep—your honesty about fear mixed with celebration is real and relatable . And huge congrats on the middle-grade book deal—Bare Bones Publishing is lucky to have you!

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  22. Reading “Boomer Effect” felt like sneaking into someone’s scrapbook and finding the heart behind each candid frame. I loved how you start with that perfect scene of shuffling through road-trip photos—dad’s pun, monkeys darting by, and that foam mustache moment—and suddenly I was right there, drinking in the chaos and the warmth. I laughed at the vintage 90s playlist pause where you shamelessly kept messing up just to keep the family banter going—classic “That’s so Boomer!” vibes. It’s wild how a few snapshots and playful teasing can show so much love and longing woven in between the fun. As a parent myself (or one day soon to be), I totally get the urge to freeze these moments, desperate to keep your kiddo around just a bit longer in the frame. The poem and the backstory about worrying for our kids in this fast-changing world hit deep—your honesty about fear mixed with celebration is real and relatable . And huge congrats on the middle-grade book deal—Bare Bones Publishing is lucky to have you!

    Like

    Reply

  23. “only so you may stay longer and chide and laugh” This line will stay with me for a long time. Like you, I’m also afraid of this fast-changing world because it doesn’t allow us to walk slow and pause and ponder. Loved the poem and wishing you the best for your book, Sonia!

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  24. Yay on so many fronts, Sonia. Your book, your beautifully touching poem, and the narrative that preceded it. I hope you’ll share more about your book and the publication excitement.

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  30. I was imagining myself and my family here. What a beautiful way of expressing your emotions, Sonia. And many many congratulations for finding such a wonderful and caring publisher. Waiting to hear more (and more and more…)

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  32. Congratulations on your book finding a home!

    Love how you bring the bond between children and parents through. Even through the eyerolls and exasperations, there’s fun and affection and bonding.

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