Chalk Rainbows

Reminiscing about my daughter as a small child

I remember when…

You were childhood chalk rainbows
A smiling missing tooth surprise
Riding off on training wheels
Across the concrete sidewalk skies

 

With all your dolls sipping empty teacups
Dressing up in high heels, over sized
Building sandcastles into make-believe
And baking your famous mud filled pies

 

Painting toenails under flowing pigtails
With hands on hips, asking all your why's
When you needed a daddy rescue
The lights that shone, out from within your little eyes

 

But, the world has come between us
And now to you, I am someone else's lie
The pain will never wash away your rainbows
No matter how hard it may try

 

You shall always be my little girl

And a part of you always a part of me

In hopes one day that forgiveness

Shall set those misconceptions free

Reviews

[Stacy Purvis]

Nostalgic and thought-provoking. This brought up some fond memories of my own childhood. How lovely. : )
Thank you for sharing. xxx

[Michael G. Smith]

You're welcome and thanks for stopping by.

[MOON]

Emotionally honest write, poignant yet beautiful.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thank you Moon. How have you been?

[audrie]

I completely understand the loss between parent and child. . . my mother had a serious falling out 20 years ago and I have yet to talk to her. Ihave thought about over the years and have tried to reach out to her but she refuses to have anything to do with me. The falling out was over how she raised me as a child. When we fought about it I was not even mad at her about it, I was just wanting her to understand it. . . I love her so much ind it is a travesty what has happened to our relationship. . . the love between mother and daughter should be unconditional but in my case it wasn't. Thanks for sharing that poem with me. it was beautiful

[Michael G. Smith]

yeah times we lose sight of what is truly important as pride swallows us up to a point we feel we can not go back. Its sad when we can't humble ourselves enough to ask for or forgive ourselves. If I were you I would send her a handwritten letter telling her how much you love her and perhaps do something even more unexpected by making her a mothers day card. In the letter or card ask for her forgiveness but don't give up on her. I long to have a mother. I came home from school when I was fifteen and found my mother dead from suicide and I had to learn to forgive her for that. Poetry is or therapy sister.

[audrie]

Thanks for sharing such intimate feelings with me. . . peace, balance and harmony

[rutherford]

Tremendous poem of being a father and losing your girl. First three stanzas build a strong emotion of the daughter's childhood. Especially like the "chalk rainbows" and "concrete sidewalk skies." And definite sense of a stronger loss than just growing up--something else to forgive between father and daughter. A double sadness. Powerful.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thanks Rutherford. I am glad to say my daughter has moved back to Florida and into my life. The relationship isn't where i'd like it to be but its a whole lot better.

[Avinash]

A heart wrenching tale of fatherly love. It is always the scuffle between the human wish and harsh reality of life which gives birth to something as beautiful as this.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thanks, for the observations.

[Rita L. Sev]

This poem brought such emotion, first as I recalled my own father's love and "daddy rescue", and then as I saw your pain at the end. Time heals many wounds, Mike - and little girls grow up to be wise and understanding...

[Michael G. Smith]

I'm still waiting on this one.

[Pryde Foltz]

A personal and strong write. Time and love have a way of seeing to forgiveness. I hope.

[Michael G. Smith]

So far, I think.