Thirty years ago

b’’h

3/6/12

Thirty years ago

My father bought

A toy truck

for the kids.

The kids grew up.

My father’s dead.

As it was --

The toy truck is.

Reviews

[sithlordjp]

There are a few cherished toys I hold on to this day, not just for the object itself, but for a special memory that goes with it. I have this random Star Wars figure I love. Bland background character, but I remember my dad calling me from work to let me know he had a surprise for me. Somehow, that stupid uninteresting character became my favorite, because that day, out of the blue, my father wanted to get me something. It wasn't my birthday, wasn't Christmas. It was just for me.

A very touching write David, brought back a lot of memories, and that's also an appreciated quality of a good writer like you. Only a few words to capture a moment in time, yet an entire relationship, and the echo it left behind. Just beautiful...

[Firestone Feinberg]

I am very moved by your story. It's a funny thing how our old toys mean so much to us. We have saved many of our kids's' toys, not only the truck. We are soon to be grandparents for the first time. The toys will have new life. I am so glad you got sweet memories from the poem. Your words bring tears to my eyes. Thank you for your warm and kind review. --David

[Ed Hart]

you've awakened memories in many here...and the truck, symbol of permanence, waits

[Firestone Feinberg]

Yeah. I was surprised to see how many persons responded with old-toy memories. I didn't realize that such experience is so common. Maybe I will get a ride on the truck of permanence; that would be swell! Thanks. --David

[junaid altaf]

u have given soul to the corpse of the memory with the simplest vocabulary!
amazing!

[Firestone Feinberg]

Thank you Jumaid! You honor me with your kind and poetic words. I do tend to use simple words, you're right. It is easiest for me to use simple words. Have a great day! --David

[junaid altaf]

always welcome!

[Firestone Feinberg]

sorry i spelled your name wrong JUNAID!

[junaid altaf]

no worries dear poet...reality has no name!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

many of my toys went to my nephew and then to his kids...and so on...

they live on...and i imagine long after i'm gone.

so true.
hopefully our poems will outlive us too.

[Firestone Feinberg]

We will soon be first-time grandparents. The magical truck will roll on. It is more than solidly built; if our poems live as long as thattruck, we are insured something close to immortality! Thank you, Jacob. --David

[Red Brick Keshner]

Would love to see a picture of that toy truck. Some toys do outlast us, an heirloom loaded with past joys passed on from generation to generation.

[Firestone Feinberg]

You have inspired me to take a picture of that truck; I hope to do so and then post it here on my photos page or else put it as the picture for this poem. If I do that, I hope I'll remember to let you know. The truck will last for generations. It is incredibly solid, all wood, maple? made by monks in a monastery in upstate NY. It's really a special thing. We are about to become grandparents for the first time. The truck will be passed on... Thanks, Fred. --David

[Red Brick Keshner]

No probs, David. For a minimalist edit you could opt for full colour with a black monotone background, or a sepia off white vignette to give an antique feel or a depth of field, blurry backdrop for effect. In any case, I'm excited! Can't hardly wait. :-) sincerely, Frederick.

[John]

The matter of fact tone of the poem belies a quiet poignancy - the truck exists while the father who bought it for his children is no longer around. For the person who was given the gift, there is a sharp discrepancy between what is and what was.

[Firestone Feinberg]

Your wonderfully-written reviews seem to be better than my poems! 'The matter of fact tone of the poem belies a quiet poignancy' is a case in point. When I read that, I thought, 'Is he talking about MY poem?' You lend a legitimacy to my words which I feel they don't deserve! I feel as if my verse were given a fine review in The New York Times! Thank you so much for all the care you take and your kindness so generous. Can you be bribed?

[John]

You're very welcome.