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

[Wórdsmíth]

heart-rending & wholehearted, undoubtedly. memories of past & the childhood of gone age always wake up all up overnight and make us remember what's never supposed to be forgotten... something emotional... divine.. & mesmerizing in time.

heartfelt lines here:

"... I'm older now than you were then.
How strange it seems to me in dreams
we meet and both of us are old..."

it makes to keep it continue reading your work this evening. something raw & original i get to read after a long time.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for choosing this old poem to read. It happens to be a personal favourite of mine. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[iliOZ]

i admit it, i had a mostly bad childhood. my stepfather made sure of that and while at it he made the life and psyche of my mom an actual living hell.
but enough about me, yet a bit still about me...
i don't envy you for your heartfelt memories and of your close relationship with your father, but i wish mine was something close to it at least.
i hope and wish your own family somewhat eased the fact that he is no longer around, though i am certain that a true loved one will always be with us.
wish you well...

[Chris Shaw]

Thirty years departed, never a day when I don't think about him. I leave him in peace with much love and gratitude. Pleased you found this one. Thank you so much for bringing him back to me today.

Chris

[emmajoy]

I wandered down your most recent posts, found I'd felt and enjoyed quite a few for all kinds of reasons. Decided to come here and find the first gift you gave to us cafe dwellers! Seems from the word 'go' you knew how to touch your readers, how to share sensitively, honestly and with fine, fine skills. The words above are so beautiful, I felt them nudge my own often hidden love for my father. Tis said that a woman;s first love is inevitably her father....

However. these are extra-special, Chris. For some odd reason, I can imagine them reflected in a still crystal clear lake..

'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. '

Yes.

[Chris Shaw]

My apologies Em for my tardy response to your thoughtful review. So pleased you resurrected this one. Happens to be a favourite of mine. Many thank yous for bringing my Dad close this evening.

Chris

[emmajoy]

A sad pleasure, Chris. (You)

[Re-Pete]

fond memories are incorruptible even by time however cruel. what goes around has a way of coming around. acorns do not fall from the tree nor do we. there is so much loving feeling here i cannot begin. these January shadows are alive and give me hope and life. outstanding. so glad i read this today ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pete, approaching the anniversary of my Dad's parting. So good to receive this lovely review from you. It really means a great deal. Thank you so much.

Chris

[wordman]

not sure if this is meant for a tribute ,but i felt the emotions

[Chris Shaw]

Just thoughts of Dad that were going through my mind as the anniversary of his death approached. Yes Ron, sad thoughts. Pleased you picked up on the emotion and thank you for your visit.

Chris

[wordman]

you`re welcome

[Sarah K Cass]

This so reminds me of dreaming about my late mum. The intensity of seeing her. She always advises me in my dreams. I really like this, Chris. I could really relate.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Amber. My Dad died twenty eight years ago, but I miss him still. Sorry to have lost your Mum.

Chris.

[Sarah K Cass]

My mum passed in 2008 so my grief is softer now, but thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

You still miss them though don't you Amber?

[Sarah K Cass]

Very much. Have a super saturday. We're off to watch the surf championships in Newquay. Big waves! Might inspire a write!🌊🌊

[Chris Shaw]

Very big waves today. Still very gusty. Enjoy.

[Rye]

this is such a touching write, nicely written and presented.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Rye for reading this oldie and giving it an airing.

Chris

[Tate Morgan]

We all know what it is like to heal old wounds or to let them fester. None can say in later years that what they experienced in childhood had nothing to do with how they turned out.

[Chris Shaw]

How true Tate. I was very fortunate to have had a great Dad. Still sadly missed after 28 years. Thank you for checking this one out.

Chris

[Tate Morgan]

You are welcome.

[Flowers of Eternity]

Chris, I am really moved as I read your poem. This is so touching and it warms my heart. I really love this. it is a very lovely poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. Anniversary month, it's an old poem but needs to be aired. I appreciate your review.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh my goodness, Chris, I just posted a poem about missing my Dad and now I read yours....so very touching! The reminiscing is honest and raw. Age is ambiguous in memory....very much so. Wonderful poetry! Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Lydi**. I will go and find yours. Anniversary month, long time ago, feelings of loss never leave. Due for an airing.

Chris