Dear Son, Forgive Me

My 3rd ever piece written. Thanks dad, for encouraging me as a writer.

Dear son, forgive me...

if i leave you unprotected and alone.

Dear son, forgive me...

if i neglect to provide for you a home.

Dear son, forgive me...

if i never explain the rules of being a man.

Dear son, forgive me...

if i greet you with anything less than an open hand.

Dear son, forgive me...

if you see me in a pit of rage.

Dear son, forgive me...

if i place my feelings & memories of you in a cage.

Dear son, forgive me...

if i ever have to test my love for you.

Dear son, forgive me...

if i ever hesitate before i hug you.

Dear son, forgive me...

if i forget about you, and think only of myself.

Dear son, forgive me...

if one day, i remove my picture from your shelf.

Author's Note

Thank you for allowing me to share these pieces with you. This is the last piece my father ever read of mine. I wish he could experince the writer i became. Please, tell those dear to you what they mean to you while you still can. R.I.P. John W. Berry... a hero, friend, and above all, a father.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A touching piece of writing. I had a great relationship with my own Dad. On reflection, he made mistakes and he had faults, but who doesn't? He did his best without any doubt, and had his children's interests at heart. He was generous with his love and his time. Your poem had me thinking about him 31 years after his death. Died at 60, he did. I loved him and he knew it. He also knew I didn't approve of his drinking and his gambling. I forgave him for all his faults, especially when I think of my own. Your Dad would be proud of you and the writer you have become Travis. A pleasure reading your work.


Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much, Chris... I wrote this as a budding teenager, not sure where it even sprang from, honestly. Lol but, now that I am a father myself, I know he would be incredibly proud. Through it all, that brings me peace. I am happy to hear, that you were able to find forgiveness for your father's shortcomings. As children, we often forget that our parents are people too. Thank you for the endearing response to this piece.

[Donna]

I also lost my Father, and at any age, it's very hard. That's a beautiful poem you wrote about him. He must of been a great Father! Take care!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you... he was a tremendous father. You have my condolences for your loss.

[Donna]

Same to you dear!

[icelandicblue]

I am moved to tears. We will make mistakes as parents but we love our children beyond reproach and we never ever want to hurt out children purposely, but sometimes we do without thinking. And when we do we try to rectify quickly. It's a beautiful piece and I know he would be proud of the man, father and the poet you have become.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you your words mean much to me... I can't thank you enough.

[Frieda P]

Very moving Travis, I"m not usually a big fan of repetition, but in this case it works. Your dad would be proud, I'm pretty sure he's still reading your poetry, I like to think that, let's hope so anyway.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I hope so... this was when I wouldn't admit I enjoyed writing. I would emphasize "schoolwork assignment." . Lol but he would show it to everyone he could.

[Frieda P]

Ha big tough guy eh? Figures you're from joisey! ;-) Have a grand New Year..........x

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Back then, I absolutely was. Lol I've grown out of it now. Thank you, I wish the same for you!

[Joyce S. Greene]

The things your speaker would wish forgiveness for if he did not do must have been the things you valued most in how your beloved father raised you, PH. He must have been a very fine father. I'm sure you're happy you shared this piece of your heart with him before he was gone.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

He was, and I am glad for that. Thank you for those kind words and thoughts, dear friend.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

I love the way you write your poetry, the way its all set out.
This comes straight from your heart and it shows.
I love the rhyming scheme to this one as well....
Your very talented... i really enjoy reading your poems, they have deep meaning :)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much for the wonderful compliment. My writing has underwent a lot of change since this era of my writing. I hope you can continue to enjoy my work tho.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

Your most welcome anytime :)

[Oyindamola Shoola]

No one is perfect and d best forgiveness one can ever receive is from his or herself.....nice piece

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

You speak truth, and thank you.

[h d e rushin]

Complex on a lot of levels, just as a father-son, father-child, father Black child is complex in that
netherworld of family dynamic. "Forgive me, if one day, i remove my picture from your shelf" is
a statement of neuropathology that involves, and may just include, a relationship
with someone unreasonable. Trust me, I've been there.

I like this poem for the diagnosis it exposes. That part of forgiveness that pardons resentment
is what is outstanding here.

dana

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Dana, thank you for taking time to give such a elaborate review, it is truly appreciated. Unfortunately, I can't accurately remember the place this was written from. I wrote it well before I had children of my own, and had a great relationship with my own father.

[Laura Harrison]

A heartfelt and deep poem. This is beautiful, thank you for sharing

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much for a wonderful compliment.

[Lyn Anderson]

A heart felt, deep and meaningful tribute. I tell my kids every day to hug the ones they love and tell them how much they love them every chance they get. Thank you for sharing.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That is a powerful gift to give to your children. Sometime as our youthful hearts carry us about, we lose sight of how fragile many things around us really are. Thank you for your words, friend.