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

[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

[redd 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

[redd 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.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris… memories when we were Ten Years Old. My Dad loved Shakespeare and said to me when I was Ten.. “If you memorize Hamlet” to be or not to be .. in its entirety”… I will give you Fifty Dollars (which would be much more today with inflation) well a week later I had memorized every word.. My Dad was delighted .. and here I am still struggling with Shakespeare. Love ❤️ your Poem about your Dad… very sweet and charming. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, thank you for sharing your Dad with me. Also special thanks for reading this poem today. Soon to be the 31st anniversary of his parting. Seems like yesterday and yet........

You are so appreciated.

Chris

[butterfly]

Another beautiful poem Chris! I often wonder about my father sadly I lost him when I was young too..I enjoyed reading about this poetic father daughter moment.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you butterfly. Sorry you lost your father so young. Mine has been a great influence on me as has my mother. I have been very fortunate with my parents, their love and guidance. Sadly that isn't the case for many.

Chris

[The Lone Grey Wolf]

When suffering is at an end, the burden is not with the dead, so much as the living; having to carry the weight of that memory.

[Chris Shaw]

So true. Learning to live without someone who has been so much part of your life is a heavy weight to shoulder. The grief softens with time, the memories are all that remains. I really appreciate your thoughtful comment.

Chris