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

[Lisasview]

Another one of yours dear Chris that I immediately started to cry over.
Oh goodness to lose your father when you were so very young... Terrible..really terrible..
I really loved every word...every line
Your rhyme and easiness of it sang through.
I might say this is my most favourite of all of yours.... but then again.. I need to go back and reread them all to be sure. Because I recall so many that moved me.
Hugs,
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lisa. Actually I wasn’t that young when he died I was in my thirties, but he died far too young and his loss has been deeply felt ever since. 60 is no age at all. This month has been hard. A month of anniversaries and my mum’s as well. Roll on Feb. Thank you for your lovely review. I have some catching up to do.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Yes, I do remember January... so sorry but soon February will be here!!
Whatever age one loses their father it is so terrible.
My dear father was active and well...until he died at the age of 96!!!
I feel such pain over his loss..
Lisa

[JENNY]

Father and daughter’s bond is one of the strongest and beautiful. Indeed love between them is eternal. And one can feel the other just by thinking about him /her. So adorable Chris. It really touched my soul and I just wanna read it again and again . Thank you so much for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Jenny your lovely review is so warming. Thank you so much. I am thrilled this poem touched you. All the best to you.

Chris

[JENNY]

Thank you Chris for you wishes. I wish the same for you. And lastly your most welcome dear friend.

[Chris Shaw]

💐 ……….thank you kindly

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was sweetly sad. I dreamed of my own dad last night; strange since he's been dead over 38 years. He never got to meet my children or their children. Lung cancer took him at 59. The pain and the joy here are both open and real.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian. How strange. my Dad died of lung cancer when he was sixty. Similar story to your own Dad. Thank you for checking this one out on his 32nd anniversary.

Chris

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Love this Chris I lost my Dad 30 years ago my eldest was five
Thanks for this poem it meant a lot to me

[Chris Shaw]

Julie, thank you for your lovely review. Your words touched me. Have a lovely Sunday.

Chris

[Ciara]

This is a beautiful poem honouring cherished memories. 💛

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for choosing this one to review Ciara. Means alot 💐

[Ciara]

You're very welcome 💛🌺

[W. Barrett Munn]

A lovely remembrance, Chris. Beautifully constructed.
W.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much W for the visit. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Ranger Kessel]

Wow this is a nice read. Feels loving and sad at once. Thankful. I appreciate this piece. Thanks for posting.

[Chris Shaw]

I like this poem myself. A loving conversation with my dearly departed Dad. Thanks Ranger. Pleased you liked it.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

A good place for me to start sampling the poems on your page. Being the father of an only daughter 40 years my junior, is a strange thing. And that is the story that shall perhaps fill future pages of verse from my point of view. Recollections are faithful to the mind that recollects, always, "dipped in sugar water!" Thanks for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

My Dad died far too soon. His loss felt now for thirty one years. Having lost my mum as well in Feb of this year, I find myself thinking of them both more often. Congratulations on the birth of a daughter, Frederick at the ripe old age of forty. I reckon there will be quite a few adjustments to your life :) Thanks for choosing this poem. It is one of my own favourite writes.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

It definitely a mixed bag, life is. My daughter is 15 years this year and my dad passed on last month, the 3rd of April. My mother is frail and living day to day. Perhaps, that is where my heart goes to these day, as far as themes and musings go. This poem sits within my consciousness quite snuggly at present. Thanks again. Frederick.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased this poem fits the moment. Thanks Frederick.

[Ranger Kessel]

Youre welcome

[Rew]

Read it Breathed it Lived it and Loved it!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Rew. One of several poems I wrote about my Dad. This one is my favourite.
read moreMany thank yous Rew. One of several poems I wrote about my Dad. This one is my favourite.

Chris

[Rew]

cheers Chris. its a good one.

[M. J. Smith]

I never knew my father. And what I learned later in life would have made him difficult to love. I try not to be that way with my own daughter. Parents loom large in our memories. Beautiful words, but sad too. Well penned.

[Chris Shaw]

I was fortunate, had a great Dad, but he died too soon. I have missed him the last 31 years. Cancer is a curse. Sorry your experience with your Dad wasn't a positive one. Thank you for sharing MJS.

Chris

[M. J. Smith]

They say you can't miss what you never had. But many's the time when I'VE wished for an older male to consult with. Especially on matters of fatherhood. Thank for your kind words, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Know what you mean. With the loss of my Dad and no uncles, I missed male counsel.