China Doll: A Tribute to My Father.

Written in memory of my father. His nickname for me was China doll.

I had a father, 

just like all the others.

but he was special-

he was all my own.

I too, the only daughter

was his special wonder.

On the day of my arrival

he called me his China doll.

 

When I was little,

he’d tie up my hair,

-though awkwardly

and taught me all sorts of things

mainly about basketball.

And we had our jokes

That sent us laughing.

And he would call me his China doll.

 

As I got older,

and became a teenager,

I began to resent him.

He did not care.

He only pushed harder

to make me a better person.

Though I pushed him away

he still called me his China doll.

 

Then in the middle of March,

I was only fifteen,

he had gotten so ill.

And I learned

a nasty infection had taken over

and it took my father away.

 So I looked up to Heaven, and

wondered if I was still his China doll.

 

Years have passed by.

And still I miss him.

The jokes we shared,

and the adventures we had

are becoming distant memories.

But one thing I know,

and this I am sure,

I am his China doll.

Author's Note

I didn't intend for this to be brilliant. I don't normally write poems, so I know this is not the best.

Reviews

[light pink]

I had tears on my eyes after reading this touching poem or this touching piece of truth .. what caught my eye was the beautiful title " china doll " .. ( btw my father passed away too when i was only 16 ! and I too do really really miss his tender face ) .

[Angel Alli]

Thank you for reading this special memory of my father. When I was born, I had jet black hair and darker skin so he called me China doll because that is what I reminded him off.

[light pink]

you must be a beautiful person really ! and a beautiful memory that is of your father .

[Spotted Hyena]

This is a beautiful poem. I can tell you really love your father. I agree with the reviewer "therisa." The message is more important than the form.

[therisa]

Angel, thank you, for opening up and sharing your memories of your dad. Like you, my dad was very special to me, who died, in November 1998. I could talk to him, about things, I could never do, with my mom. I got to say goodbye to him, the night before his fatal heart attack, on November 12th. To me, the message, you convey with this poem is more important than being form correct.

[Angel Alli]

I am glad you got to say goodbye. Unfortunately, I was never able too because he was comatose for a few days before passing. I only wish that I was not an angry teenager when he died, and that we left on better terms.

[therisa]

Angel, my died, as a result of his brain dying, while paramedics tried to revive him, after his heart attack, on November 13, 1998. For 36 hours, his body lingered, after removing all live support equipment from him, before death claimed him.

Please, don't be too harsh upon yourself, for being an angry teenager, your dad would understand. The fact is, you love and miss him. That what manners here.