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

[Maxwell Ryder]

Hope you don’t mind. Shared this with a Palestinian friend who hasn’t yet recovered (do we ever?) from the loss of her father. I appreciate the tenderness and sense of loss here. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Delighted that you did so. Hope it helps her. Thank you maxwell.

[KeeD]

"this time my dear
you've lost the plot". Cutest thing I've ever read. It made me giggle out loud.
This, I needed this poem, it broke me and fixed me. I loved it and it's beautiful. Your dad would be so proud.

[Chris Shaw]

Been gone a long time now. 28 years. I will always be a Daddy's girl (lol). Thank you for taking time to read my stuff. I am thankful.

[KeeD]

I'm sure you get most of your talent from him, he sure raised a good one!

[Chris Shaw]

He was a physicist, not my cup of tea!

[KeeD]

That explains the intelligence :)

[Chris Shaw]

well, maybe, but not the creativity

[Neville]

Another good un.... crammed to overflowing with such vivid recollections of a dearly loved and much loved Dad.....Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Neville, and yes my Dad, greatly missed and very much loved. Thank you for reading.

[Neville]

I know exactly what you mean....N

[Chris Shaw]

Bit of a Daddy's girl, me.

[Neville]

clearly...........

[Neville]

I doubt there be a single one of thine I have not considered more than just the once or twice... just in case you ever wondered... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Ya know that means alot. The fact that you called twice on this one though, is even more special. Thank you. :)

[Ahleen Embel]

Awwww Very touching that Father daughter relationship to be cherished for a lifetime.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for reading Ahleen.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

"January Shadows"
Christine Anne Shaw,
We remember. Experiences no longer real, seasons now gone and many other things. Loved ones are the biggest. They can even be gone when alive and just not be present. I realize the blunt pain of someone passing such as a father or mother. Your loss is sad...I am sorry but the sweetness of your time with him in your visions of the night is a lovely thing. Dreams are an amazing thing for we have a whole world which becomes real and we become involved in during our sleeping hours. It's like we are still living with these ones which were so real to the heart. I loved your poem and it's hopeful theme. You did such a good thing with this poem.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kathy for your lovely review. Pleased to meet you on here and happy that you enjoyed the read. Thank you.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

It was my pleasure and you are welcome!

[Dandeliondreamer]

This was such a beautiful poem. I especially loved your last stanza. The bond between father and daughter will always be there, and you captured it wonderfully.

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your kind comments. Thank you.

[Coyote Poetry]

This is what poetry suppose to be. I believe your father would be proud of you. Your words allowed the reader to come along to old places and kind memories. I loved the complete poem. Thank you Christine for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

When I write about my Dad, the emotion pours forth. can't help it. Thank you so much.

[Coyote Poetry]

You did well. You honored your father's memory and you are welcome.

[Pash]

Wow! This piece struck a nerve or two. Before I knew it, I was swallowed up in a whirlwind of emotions. I got lost in your story and remembered one similar too my own. It was moving and beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
DB

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for reading me. I have been writing for quite some time but I am new here.

[Pash]

I can't wait to read more.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I lost my Dad when I was six. I used to dream of him a lot, wondering what he would think of me now, all grown up with a child of my own. Thank you for stirring those emotions. Lovely piece of a daughter's love.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kelly. Pleased you could relate to this poem. So sad you lost your at such a young age. Must have been really painful for you.

[SleeplessVolcano]

Very touching writing, expressing the yearning any adult would still have for intimacy with a parent..... my own rationalizing when a status quo is not ideal is the obvious generation gap. Despite genuinely trying, someone (of any generation) is only able to give the level of intimacy they actually possess.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your review. My first on here, so very much appreciated.

Chris

[richieb]

Emotional tribute to your father. Years pass by but the strong ties of child and parent only grow deeper. Memories bring smiles and tears to our faces, we hold dear to these. Fine wrting tobring all these facets together.
I am happy that you had a joyous relationship with your father, that is priceless.
Blessings,
Richie b.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you richieb