Daughters

How can you say that I didn’t care

When I planted a cornfield awave  in your hair,

Gifted your eyes of a deep sea blue

That you might see me, and I might see you!

 

I tinted your skin with the blush of a rose

And I fashioned a tilt to the tip of your nose,

But your lips I moulded from sweet honey-dew

So that you could kiss me, and I kiss you!

 

Four dainty fingers on each of your hands

And one with a ridge for a wedding band,

While you lisped and you chattered on long through the day

As I smiled and I listened - what more can I say?

 

I held you sheltered from the hail and the rain

And I tucked you up in a counterpane,

I watched and I whispered as you fell asleep:

‘There’s a rosebud blooming on the angel’s cheek!’

 

But the storm-clouds broke, as the storm-clouds will,

And my love was shattered, and my heart stood still,

You were snatched away when I wasn’t there…

Now, how can you say that I didn’t care?

 

Let me warn you fathers, and fathers to be

That it doesn’t all end as you’d like it to be,

For your little girl grown will tear you apart,

And will leave you aching, as she breaks your heart!

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Deborah Brooks-Langford]

David... how sad and beautiful at the same time.. My heart , my eyes and soul are weeping... for your hurt and I know the love you have for your daughter.. My ex my sons father did his best to turn him against me.. we didn't talk for a while .. but after years of never giving up.. always praying.. my son came back to me and realized the lies his father told him... life hurts don't it... ??? thank God we have our writing to help us.. its great therapy... for me... I am sending lots of hugs dear man... .. it is so nice to meet you here in Cyber Space..
Debbie

[michael.c.m]

nice. -times2. I need to share this with my girls. A truly classic piece.

[Chris]

I wouldn't normally presume... but I have to say that for me this one had "places" to go, and it did, and it was - until I reached the last two stanzas. It wasn't the telling as much as the way I felt it do more than just stumble. And before the last Stanza it feels as if a whole world is missing somehow... maybe that was the "intent" that I missed. No disrespect at all was intended nor knowingly given.

[roarke]

Such an expression of love... and reality. I don't think I've seen it expressed any finer. Top to bottom, Bravo.

[Tate Morgan]

Oh how i feel this one today .i always say girls grow up and move away while a boy will be with you till your dying day

[daydreamer]

brilliant write. emotions of father well captured:)

[Jasmine]

Wow, I feel bad for my own father now... I suppose we break the hearts of everyone in our families.

An absolutely stunning poem, I cannot fault anything.

[Pratik]

This was a beautiful and yet a sad poem.... the pangs of longing when you are separated from your loved one has been addressed wonderfully in your poem... the rhyming is superb! You are truly a master of your craft David :)

[Lena M. P.]

The heartbreak from a child is the greatest heartbreak of all. The piece is so touching with such strong, loving emotion. A beautiful write.

[Amila Jay]

The last stanza was effective indeed, like the write a lot and yes your words are very true. Excellent write:)