Rocks Can Cry

For my father. A stubborn, moralistic, preachy, concrete and loving man.

Rocks Can Cry

 

You spoke arrow �" no jive talk.

You walked poker �" I’m still crawling.

The nights I satisfied my adolescent desires,

You juiced up the car and came to my rescue.

I know I would yell for mom in the dark.

I was too proud to call for you.

 

You cried once, When your father died.

Weak for one moment, you hugged me,

And started your legacy in the living room.

Now your knees hurt, and we can’t play.

But I am still a child in your presence.

The curious little boy you know.

Inside the man I know you love.

 

You are pretty good at that!

You told me once.

 

So I think of you when I throw Frisbees.

 

I know we like to put things on paper.

But I am your son.

I can say I love you now.

Reviews

[Michael G.]

My father was my best friend. We used to have coffee together and talk of many things... or nothing at all. Just enjoyed the presence of each other.
When I was not much older than you, he passed away. He wasn't quite fifty. He had lots of things he still wanted to do. He is still missed, thirty some years later.
Your last line speaks volumes. Don't forget to tell him ... often.

[Ninja Empyrean]

Its funny how things work. I rebelled so much as an adolescent. I wish, like most, that I had listened and spent more time. We have much more fulfilling conversations now, and I do, I have to tell him I love him every chance I get. He is still strong, though maybe not his knees ;), or back. His back, now bent with age, causes him pain and even his movements are older. This pains my heart as fathers are strong for us our entire lives... hopefuly. I read once that there are two types of people. Those who still have thier parents and those who dont. I am blessed in this sense, and those who dont are blessed in thier own. Thanks so much for your review and reminding me how important it is to show and tell love.

[Michael G.]

You have a good heart, sir... a good heart. Keep writing.

[Holly Mason]

interesting view into you...call mom in the dark
fathers are an amazing thing and it seems yours meant a lot to you
love that last line...
just like the whole piece imagery is great from the frisbee to his knees now hurting
thank you so for sharing

[Ninja Empyrean]

Thanks Holly! I'm glad you like my poems. Yes... one of my favorite memories of my father was 1996 Shelby Park, Louisville Kentucky. We were throwing a frisbee and I swear I caught it everytime. His smile is still quick in my mind. He used to sing to me, "marvelous, marvelous, marvelous Martin, wonderful boy that you are." I was very young, but it is still... very quick in my mind. Thanks again.