The Father

A poem about my Dad, and feelings about him from my childhood.

My friends admired you in reverence,

Wholly awed, never a passing fad

My Dad, who was never anyone’s fool

The last of four, I took whatever you gave me, in deference

I elevated, praised, even worshipped who you seemed to be

When I needed you, I was without

I was nine, yet I thought you were mine

You left, for another family

My heart bled in my silent, forlorn shout

Denial became my wounded hearts crutch in time

You’d never leave me, not me

Alone now, without my cool

You never came back

I longed for you, to see,

I lived without you, but in a parental duel

Guess I did not really know you, what you might lack

Or you didn’t care about me

You’ve been gone for years,

Most of my life

No one to teach me life’s key

So many crestfallen tears

How would I greet you after years of strife?

If I saw you today, just you and me,

With open arms

And warm tears

Reviews

[Leslie Philibert]

This is a fine poem,you have the courage to work at a very difficult subject,I think it`s one of the most hard things to write about, the relationship between parents and children, always ambivalent, a difficult mix of conflict and acceptance.
I think you did well here, good work.

[Genevive]

your forgiveness is heartwarming

[jennifer little]

nice poem

[J.M. Walker]

This is a subject that is very difficult, however you do a good job of revealing your confusion at a young age about your father. For someone who has not had an experience like that this poem really helps you imagine what you were feeling. Although I'm most definitely sure its nothing close to what you actually felt at the time. I can not imagine losing my dad in a situation like that. You must be a brave person. good poem.