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Open Poetry #41
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"Father"
| Open Poetry #41 |
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"Father" |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
So frail. Nut oil brown still from three score and near ten vital, sun soaked, swallow filled summers, as if in spiteful ridicule, now broken and weary and spent, diseased and wretched. Burgled by fate of its very being. Yet still that spirit. At once loose and hard shackled, free as an Irish mountain zephyr, yet bound tight by chains of duty: holding me fast in its shadow, yet letting me run free, childlike, in the gentle spring rains, standing sentinel over my grazed knees and muddied elbows, torn trousers and berry stained shirts... So bent. Knobbled bones, ungainly, disjointed, clattering unhappily within their puckered, parchment skin, loose and awkward, like broken sticks, dry and withered, slipping hapahazard and unwieldy in a corner shop carrier bag. Yet still that will. Cold iron resolve, unyielding, granite hard that asked none, and in return gave nothing in quarter, that supported my child's fragile, careless world on its back like a cloth capped Atlas, gathering up, unspoken, my broken bicycles and broken teeth, lost shoes and bloodied coats... So weak. Spent and enfeebled, muscles strain, once more to pull erect their rapid failing scaffoldings, failing they fall, desperate, spilling and clattering, falling loose like an abandoned spastic, string cut marionette. Yet still that strength. That potent wraith, hard muscled, all steel sinewed, wind and weatherwork tanned, tossing me high aloft, carefree in cloudless skies rich with warmth and summer scents, chiding, unknown, my tormentors; standing fortress against the storms of a young, fragile life... So weary. The skeletal fingers that clutch feebly at mine, cold, mechanical, their flesh withered, holding reluctantly to life, reaching out for release, for some small mercy left in passing, for freedom from their tormentor. Yet still that dignity. That head up jut jawed, cannon barrel gazed, proud, arrogant, hard fisted and defiant, parting burly, heaving crowds; cutting them like ploughed snow to suffer me safe passage, Bulwark to the tidal surges of childhood; taking the breakers on his back that I might play in the wash... So tired. Tremulous, morphine laden lids, pallid, heavy, leaden shutters dragged open by sheer dint of will, lift eyes straining now for focus, shining the sun found lights and shadows of a last precious day into a rapidly clouding mind. Yet still that light. Burning now, in eyes that lit with laughter, took tears at kin's passing and melted in love, eyes that blazed once iron furnace red with anger and sparked yet with a thousand Erin stars, watching always, yet invisible, knowing, seeing, forgiving, punishing; each in its place... So sad. A gentle hand on my forearm, as my tears run, wetting the waiting shrouds of hospital corner sheets, "Why the tears boy?" Concerned. Compassionate. "I don't like to see you this way." A child again, the pain of imminent loss torrential, all consuming. Yet still that voice. Still timbred, manly, familiar.Above and apart from the cancer that consumed him - Untouchable. "We've known each other a long time haven't we?" Words. Man to boy. Man to man. Father to son. "And we didn't always like each other..." My heart aching, bursting, my chest too small to contain it. "But you were always my Dad - and I always loved you..." My father left us that afternoon - I miss him still... www.sullivanthepoet.com |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Tender words from your heart...James |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
True... Thank you for your kind comment - MIke |
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FadingSun Member
since 2000-05-01
Posts 76Southern California |
Definitely an emotional write. In some ways, I was able to relate to it's subject matter on a personal level ~ making it a little more special for me to read. Thank you for sharing, it's wonderful! In the sight of Love, fear isn't even as great as a single hair: in the law of Love, everything is offered as a sacrifice |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
This is so very touching. I miss my father very much too. I admire much, the subtle comparisons, and how you slowly revealed the diminishing strength. You have my heart today. oh-i-miss-my-dad  Beautiful, you. |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
Fading Sun; thank you... I am flattered you enjoyed it and so pleased it had personal meaning for you - Mike |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
Serenity... Hurts don' it? You ever write a piece like this about someone who's gone and wonder if they will ever get to read it? Or am I just being childish? Thanks for your kind comments - Mike |
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nicole leigh Junior Member
since 2007-09-19
Posts 44Eau Clair Wisconson |
"FREE" by:nicole pitt the sun is shinning bright theres not a cloud in sight the hot summer wind is blowing apon our smilling faces our hair blowing in the wind the hot black road goes on for miles we are finaly FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nicole leigh pitt |
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nicole leigh Junior Member
since 2007-09-19
Posts 44Eau Clair Wisconson |
I LOVE YOUR POEM IN SOME PARTS I CAN REALY RELATE YOU ARE A WONDERFUL WRITER nicole leigh pitt |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
I am glad that this was brought up again, it is indeed a very very sensitive and poignant write. Love, Margherita |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
good read  |
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sullivanthepoet.com Member
since 2007-06-28
Posts 154Devon, England |
Nicole Leigh... Thank you for your very generous comments - Mike |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
what nice poem , i just started and i have posted my first poem, iam very excited too start nice poem ARCTIC WIND |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Sullivan, indeed you ARE a poet! In fact, I was so impressed ~ and moved ~ by your poem, that I checked out your web site! ~ and I was impressed all over again!   EA |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
I am also glad this was brought up. You are as I, still caring for our fathers and will as long as we live. sincerely, "late" |
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Tears-of-Sanity Member
since 2007-09-05
Posts 121Kingdom Hearts |
That was nice... I like it Tears of Sanity~ |
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