Daddy's Girl

Final Tribute to my father before he passed. Thank God I got to read it to him

Daddy’s Girl

As you looked upon my 77-year old father you saw a man

Face expressionless, gray thinning hair, brown eyes ringed by a hauntingly beautiful hue of blue

You saw a man whose body has been wrecked by time, havoc, and Parkinson’s Disease

You saw gnarled hands, shaking and unsteady, fingers curled up in an unnatural position

You saw legs lifeless, too stiff to support his increasingly frail frame

But I see my Daddy differently

See him through my eyes

Hands that held mine as we danced across the kitchen floor

Hands that held mine at the Daddy Daughter Dance

Hands that held the belt that spanked me

Hands that supported his family

Lifeless legs that walked me to kindergarten

Lifeless legs that marched during the civil rights movement in Nashville, Tennessee

Lifeless legs that supported him during 30 years of standing over his dental chair

See him through my eyes

Then you will see why I’m my Daddy’s Girl

Reviews

[Paul Ramnora]

Well, first, I have to say that I'm 'new' here; having joined only just very recently.
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Second, it would appear that most unfortunately I've gone and 'deleted' my own previous review of this piece. The reason I went and hit the 'delete' button was I saw not just one/but, two of the exact same reviews; therefore, quite naturally, I thought to myself I must have gone and accidentally submitted two of the same reviews instead of one; but, when I hit 'delete' link to get rid of one of these/much to my dismay, I found that both reviews had been completely deleted!

Then, just to check what was going on...I went to see another review I had submitted in regards to another piece of yours. And, there it was again...not one/but, two of the 'same' reviews. Only this time, instead, of hitting 'delete'; I decided to read to see exactly what was the difference between them? It appears that one stated 'featured review'. So, now, I can at last clearly see why I should not have hit 'delete'!
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Well, I could try remembering exactly what my previous review had said in order to restate it; but, no, I won't. Instead, I'll just simply say, I am a single child who was brought up inside of a single parent family. My mum is currently, 84 years old/and, I am 45(will be 46 this year April). Although other people might see my mum as being a miserable ugly old hag, or, whatever! As I see it, she is absolutely everything to me/and, I guess, likewise. We both really 'need' each other; I can't see myself ever living life without her. If she were to die; as, indeed, is inevitable one day; then, I really don't know if I will ever have enough strength to be able to continue surviving; though, I think, it is human nature for everybody to want to survive even after the death of someone really close; otherwise, everybody who ever had a parent that died would have gone and committed suicide themselves; but, looking all around me, I can see that most people choose to live on; after all, that's what their parents would have wanted them to continue doing, anyway. My mum fed me/clothed me/sent me to school/taught me morality by sending me off to church regularly every single Sunday/showed me by her own example that it's good to give to charity(as a grown up adult I still give to charity)/taught me to study books/encyclopaedia's/and, also, to have plenty of ambition/-etc. My mum has the most beautiful handwriting; you really have to see it in order to believe it! Obviously, she loved English/and, in school, this was also my own most favourite subject; maybe, that was passed on to me through genes. I owe her an awful lot in regards to being the type of person who I am today. And, though, I might be stronger physically, now, because I'm half as young. I am certainly not stronger than her mentally; even at 84 she has a hell of lot more will power than me! I tend to give up really easy; especially, whenever I get bored/or else, do become distracted(ADD/Attention Deficit Disorder); but, my mum is different, when she locks onto something she doesn't quit; and, can see things all the way through. Anyway, the point I'm making is...it's due to my having this kind of 'internal' understanding/and, sharing rather similar circumstances with one another why I liked reading your poem so much. Sincerely, I wish both you and your father very long life, happiness, and, every good luck in future. ;-)

[Brjden (Bridge-Den) Cre..]

Beautiful account of a woman's love of her father. Great descriptive memories, wonderfully presented to Daddy! Great write!

[DanaRegen]

lovely, that was a beatiful poem. Know matter how old your dad is, or how sick he is your still daddys little girl. Thanks for sharing this fantabulous poem :)

[The DuchessPoet]

My father is in the early stages of Parkinson's Disease
I love this more than I can write...
I love my dad so much ... this has touched my heart.

[Sheila Kline]

Oh I am speechless! This is a beautiful, and touching tribute filled with so much love and admiration for the memory of your precious father!!
As my father also struggled with the ravages of Parkinson's Disease, I can relate to the images you speak of!
Your words of devotion are those that cause tears!!
With Hugs,
Sheila

[fallendemonofmercy]

i liked this because, not only were you describing his outlook today but telling all that he has done and then why you look at him differently.

[THE LOST ROSE]

A tribute to a love one is the best way to honor them. To thank them for the contributions of your life and your future dreams. Daddy is smiling down because you gave him this honor of a Gold metal when you pen this piece. Great write again. When you discover your heart like you have, put it down on paper. I will be back.

[269]

My wife's dad died of Parkinson disease. From my readings, I know a cure is close. I like the way you contrast what you would see if you didn't know him and what you see when you love him. Great poem, charly

[luke312]

I don't think i can review this like an ordinary poem this is something that came from your love of your father and I can't really say anything negative about it but honestly i think it's a righteous poem with good a depiction.
"You did good young one"

[Wicahpi]

a simply beautiful tribute to your father.
Sounded like a relationship to cherish for a lifetime.
You were blessed!