Dear Ol' Dad

A free form (occasional rhyme) mini essay on dads

I didn’t really know my father

Until It was far too late

He reached out so many times

To engage me…but I couldn’t wait

Far too self-absorbed

In my self-centered life

To reach out and take

His  proffered, time worn hand…

And so it will be (and is)

With my own children

Who will likely never know

How many times I too, offered my hand

How many tears were held within…

How many heartaches endured…

How many emotions n’er expressed

How helpless to even reach out and touch

But he cared…and he tried to share

His life and feelings (as did I)

But sadly…to be a good dad…of’ftimes 

Meant to look to be bad….

While Mothers enjoy a hallowed place

A father’s lot…is not to be so

You don’t ever really, truly  know your father

Perhaps there’s just not that much to 

…know…

143 words-24 lines

Author's Note

It staggers and reels, but it's from the heart

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Made me think of Thomas Wolfe's line, "Who knows what is in his father's heart?" A very moving piece, this.