Our Father

Photo by Robert Trakofler

Our Father

To what do we turn 

when we are weary 

and hope seems to spurn;

when visions get bleary

in life’s great concerns

We look to… our fathers

and the ones before

evoke even farther

progenitors of yore

we search for the harbor

that they held us afore

And there will come a time

when we all must stand

alone on the shore

and add his, loving strand 

to the many before

and pray we can expand

to their heart’s implore

© 2024 Robert Trakofler

Author's Note

Robert · Our Father

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

In your very fine and sincere way, have surely led readers to understand how the past can create another part of the Being.. We are given an example, can be good, can be bad.. and that can be the way we look at the world and act accordingly . Father - and mother. kind, gentle, loving.. we grow up knowing nothing else. Parents, abusive, disinterested, we humans know little of a child's small world and leave it empty of warmth - and more. Your poem seems to usher us to move forward with love and yet more love for who comes next,, Is the father by birth and He who showed us how a parent should.. can.. be.

[Robert Trakofler]

I have thousands of photographs and often I find one and write from it, but this time it was the reverse. as i was perusing the various files this one jumped out at me because it looks like an eye... it is a photograph of the last solar eclipse it is in fact the only time when dusk and dawn occur simultaneously I thought it the perfect metaphor for speaking of what are predecessor's give us and how we must take that and go forward :) You know it also dawned on me (no pun intended) that this applied to writing as well we take what we have been handed down from the many before and we then try to expand upon their words:) what a gift we are given dear Emmy

[emmajoygreen]

Yes, we certainly are. That is a wonderful thought, plus, a kaleidoscopic reason or excuse for using whatever comes to mind without too much thought? That is a writer's right, yes?

[Pryde Foltz]

Leaving a loving and a guiding shadow is best we can hope. Wonderful and deeply felt write for me, Robert.

PS ... I stole some musical inspiration from you ... hope you will forgive me:)

[Robert Trakofler]

If you take anything from me it would never be stealing:) I am only grateful and humbled if I can inspire you:)

[MCS]

So much wisdom in these words. We must understand the past to build a tomorrow. Thank you for the reminder.

[John the Baptist]

Well rhymed spiritual piece here, very appropriate for the season. It reminds us that our spiritual base is the most valuable thing we have. A nice aid for meditation.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

beautiful writing. i have spent many a lonely nigh looking up and searching for a sign. but the miracles have already happened, we just have our eyes closed to it. on this auspicious night, let us all remember to be grateful and to not abandon hope. a year has past, another is upon us, to both these truths we must thankful and know that a light is always shining upon us.

... what a sombre comment! i really came here to say: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[Robert Trakofler]

lol merry Christmas to you and your family:) and of course to your fathers :)

[Marie]

Yes, father is the idol in the home. The one we all look up too, admire with pride and love wholeheartedly. He is the one whose word is law and he is the one who must be obeyed. In times of need we turn to him for advice, for comfort, etc. It is father who sets an example for us in our home and when we lose him to Spirit, it is not the end. He continues to take the greatest good care of us though present spiritually, not physically and we look forward to the day when we will be reunited with him again. A very beautiful tribute to father which I so enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing, Robert...

[Robert Trakofler]

wow a double feature review today:) it is funny how I catch myself saying things my grandfather and my dad said lol the words come out of my mouth and i do a double take and say what? hmm that just sounded so familiar LOL

[Marie]

Bless you, Robert. That is so lovely :))

[Arundass TP]

Nicely written poem. Enjoyed reading 👍

[Robert Trakofler]

Thank you Sir

[Mariej]

We are a part of every ancestor who has gone before us and walk our present path with us also, as they will walk paths yet to come. The road of life has many humps and bumps and at those times we draw on the well of strength within us to cope. Our ancestors feed that strength in times of need. This excellently penned poem has spiritual undertones to me, dear poet. I love your excellent choice of graphic to complement your words in this thought provoking, sublime write, Robert. You give your reader much to think about in the quieter moments of their day! Thank you for sharing. I so enjoyed reading...

[Robert Trakofler]

what a nice thing to say:) I am flattered Marie j (you just left a heart print on me:)

[Mariej]

Aaaawww! Thank you for your so very kind comment, Robert. Wishing you a very blessed and pleasant day to enjoy...

[Stella Armour]

This is so beautiful Bunny and your soft voice lends to it so well.

Our forefathers unknowlingly paved the many paths we have journeyen on, how surprised they would be as to where those paths have taken us and the twists and turns along the road that have mapped out the way for the next gemerations.

[Robert Trakofler]

Amen to that

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your voice is what did it for me, Robert. Such a special treat to actually hear the poet's rendering of their own work. I lost my Dad at a very young age and have no childhood memories of him. But I know his DNA is in me, and I know I get my creative gene from him, since he was a painter. I treasure that everyday of my life. You've touched my heart with this one, today. Thank you, Robert!

[Robert Trakofler]

Thank you Kelly:) wow that must have been very hard for you and your family I hope he left you lots of artwork to reflect upon