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

[Cassie]

So much sadness here. How are you Chris

[Chris Shaw]

A very old poem dear Cassie. Lovely to find you on my page. I hope all is good in your world. I am taking a bit of a break from WC as busy with other things. All good things for you dear poet. 🌺

[Poetic Beauty]

I am blessed for I still have both my parents.

Memories good and bad I’m sure surface without rhyme or reason.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for visiting this old poem. A favourite of mine PB. You are fortunate if you have both of your parents. Sadly my Dad died at 60. It was devastating for our family to lose him at that age. My mum was in her fifties. They lived by the sea, so I would often watch the sail boats with my Dad while we put the world to rights. I had great parents, so lucky.

[Poetic Beauty]

I am blessed with amazing parents. My parents are in their 60s so yes I’m fortunate to have them both.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Chris,

this is a piece of most touching and heartrending Poetry that speaks words not said, nor expressed, but felt most poignantly by any and every wide awake to your words reader. Very profound and direct piece of very personal Poetry that I did not, necessarily, enjoy, but do think I did grasp to beat the ban ...

On a lighter note, I have a piece that is a fantasy beginning introduction to a true to life story that ends in fantasy as well, and that in honor of my long gone and dead Dad, Martin Thomas Cox, and the tale is titled, most appropriately, Shaking Off The Devil ... I do hope you will give it a read: https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/mtcflynndegraham/2879983/ ...

I always leave your pages touched by your heart set to pen of page, dear Lady ...

Marve

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Marve. I am thrilled that you picked this older poem to comment on. It is a personal favourite of mine. I’ll take a look at your posted poem soon. All the best.

Chris

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham]

It is a short story, Chris, just to give you fair warning, but I do think that you will enjoy it.

[Re-Pete]

darn near brought me to tears. off the charts. 'nuff said dear poet ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Aw Pete, thanks so much. Hope you are keeping well my friend. All good wishes to you.

Chris

[Writergurl (Mama's Girl..]

I lost my father when I was ten, I recently lost my mother not too long ago, and then my husband left me recently. I can feel this write. Such an emotional read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you writergurl. I appreciate your review. So sorry to learn of your losses. I hope they soften with the passing of time. Take care of yourself.

Chris

[Lore Keeper]

This poem brought back fond memories of my mother who died in 1989, mostly good and yet some of the memories I would just soon forget yet time has dulled the pain of them for me.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for reading January Shadows. I appreciate your thoughts. Pleased you shared them with me. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[Desert Knave]

The emotions here are quite palpable. Both of my folks are in their 80s now and I know these things will be haunting me in the future. Very nice write. ~Jim

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jim for you visit and your encouraging review. Pleased you stopped by. All the best. read moreMany thanks Jim for you visit and your encouraging review. Pleased you stopped by. All the best.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

powerful poem Chris. Memories are potent potions. Reading this beautiful poem I was reminded, and happily assured, that I'm am not the only one holding frequent seances with a departed parent.

ken

[Chris Shaw]

My parents are never far away. Always in the background. That is manageable. Wouldn’t want the emotions to take over. Many thanks Ken. Glad I’m not the only one:)

Chris

[M]

This is bittersweet. I felt every word.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Metempsychosis. I appreciate your visit. Do I know you from previous writing:)
read moreThank you so much Metempsychosis. I appreciate your visit. Do I know you from previous writing:)

Chris

[Neville]

it was not just by chance I found my way back here .. again .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend. January with four anniversaries within two weeks to work through. It is the most unkind month of the year. Even the river has burst its banks in sorrow:)

Chris

[Neville]

............. I have no words but a virtual hug is on its way

[Chris Shaw]

Very gratefully received 💜