January Shadows

Father - Daughter

What would you make of me dear Dad,

if we could share a cup of tea

and watch the sail boats work the breeze

devoid of other company?

As I pour a stronger brew, look

into your long dead eyes, would you

linger there with me? Stay a while,

smile back and say, "I love you girl

no matter what." Or would you turn

to me and say "this time my dear

you've lost the plot".

I'm older now than you were then.

How strange it seems to me in dreams

we meet and both of us are old.

How warm you are when you break through.

How cold I feel, your absence felt.

Yet when you pierce that flimsy veil

the freeze soon thaws, the ice soon melts

and I again a child of ten,

recall with glee the laughter when

stories dipped in sugar water

never end in tears or slaughter.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

mixed memories of your dad, sometime jovial, other times more direct....but then you speak of dream-like times when you were young and was able to have fun with your dad...your dreams are filled with times of older ages....and younger ones as well...fathers and daughters have special relationships.... a special bond. Many of us go through this special time with our dads. A nice keepsake of your dad.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty thank you for that lovely review. 32 years gone now. that is an awful long time.You are very much appreciated. 💐

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear friend!
Best, B

[keith]

a'nd I again a child of ten,
recall with glee the laughter when
stories dipped in sugar water
never end in tears or slaughter.'

four lines so powerful it has eclipsed the rest
sugar coating does help the medicine go down
but our insecurities well over and we find ourselves mired in mud
how grand it would be to stand where the sugar waters satisfy our 'everything'
voiding the tears of the slaughter

albert would certainly approve

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your visit. Not sure I fully understood your response Keith.When you refer to the ‘we ‘ here, I assume you are talking about yourself?
‘We find ourselves mired in mud’ , maybe you would like to explain that more fully to avoid any misunderstanding. Thank you.

[keith]

sorry bout that
it is a reference to mankind in general
nothing more

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Keith :)

[Twilight]

Haunting, and sad in places; but nice to read of some pleasant memories too. Sometimes, we just cannot forget those; who pass away. As Betty mentioned, "mixed memories" are captured in this poem. When fond of someone, even a few bleaker memories hold true to understanding that person fully; as much as the laughs and nostalgia.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Twilight for sharing your thoughts on this poem. I appreciate your visit. All the best.

Chris

[Webster]

The memory of your dad comes through in such beautiful words. Your experiences with him. You loved him dearly and I'm sure he loved you too. Having recently lost my father this poem does bring me to tears and personifies with me personally. I wish he were here to have just one last conversation, heart to heart.
Thank you my dear Chris for this poem. I felt very close to it.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Webster, so sorry to hear you have recently lost your Dad. My condolences to you. Thank you for your touching response. I truly appreciate your visit.

Chris

[LisaCarol]

Dear Chris - this was a beautiful tribute to your father and very much touched my heart. I lost my father nearly 37 years ago when he was only 50 years old. The rhythm in this poem was perfect and the story line engaging. Thank you for sharing your writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear LisaCarol, so sorry to hear your Dad died at 50, mine died at 60. Far too young. Thank you so much for a warm and very welcome review. So pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Melinda McQueen]

Such a touching poem.
Makes me miss my dad.
He doesn't visit me.
I'm disabled and can't go to visit him.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Melinda. I’m so sorry you aren’t able to see your Dad. Such a shame he doesn’t visit you. My Dad has been gone nearly 34 years. He’s still inside my heart. Pleased for your visit. 🌹

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work. Tremendous.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Thomas for your encouraging response. You are appreciated.

Chris

[MCS]

What a wonderful read with so many layers that makes the reader reflect.
I have some of those questions a well.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Mary. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

Chris

[Moraša Kouřil]

Very late here, but glad I stumbled upon this. The sentence "I'm older now than you were then." gets me. I'm too young to really relate, but despite that the thought fills me with odd melancholic nostalgia. Also adore " stories dipped in sugar water, never end in tears or slaughter." what a rhyme!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your thoughts.

Chris

[Dara]

Beautiful poem Chris! Isn’t it a strange feeling to know you are if the same age your dad was back then? Memories can be very bittersweet but recalling those special moments are so comforting. This is a wonderful tribute to a much loved father. Take care!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dara. My Dad died unexpectedly at sixty. I appreciate your thoughtful review. All good wishes.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Dear Chris! 🌿

What an all around excellently rendered, bitter-sweet Freestyle poem of you 'n your dearly departed dad, in smooth as silk diction, syntax, and spot-on intermittent rhymes.
Isn't it wonderful how memories keep our loved ones and sweet emotions alive and viable in such sentimental ways … at the same time, recollections of all those moments we've missed them so.

I still find such joy in reading your wonderfully imaginative poetry.
"A MOST HAPPY NEW YEAR WISHED FOR YOU 'N YOURS! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Richard. A belated happy new year to you. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a thoughtful comment. Your visit is much appreciated. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

Chris,
It is ever a pleasurable honour to share your beautifully skille pencraft … and, you are most welcome for my humble review.

My world's amazingly charmed, as I wish for yours to be⁓