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H. Arlequin
Member
since 1999-08-23
Posts 210


0 posted 1999-10-18 07:13 PM


Papa


Rumpled and sweat-stained that seersucker suit,
too short the trousers, too tight in the boot,
made to be machine-washed and hung up to dry
like the nylon white shirt, and the dacron blue tie,
all part of his ensemble, every day of the week.
He'd wash one and wear one, enough for the meek
of the kingdom, to wear those identical two pair,
was plenty and to spare, His teachings declare.

Not in the elbows and neither in the knees
were signs of their age, as new as you please
a seersucker lasts like threads made of steel
and looks as good as its touch makes you feel!
The rich and the famous, middle class and poor,
Sunday-meeting-clothes, summer heat to endure,
made the more bearable, light weight and wearable
to the ladies desirable, to the men folk reliable.

So Wednesday or Sunday he'd dress just the same
as if clothes made the man and blessings all came
to the prim, the proper, well-dressed and enduring,
the image, all important to the eye, reassuring.
On the inside of propriety, other threads made of steel
had woven the tapestry of his character--strong seal
of approval etched on the nature of his heart,
for the family--a reassurance he would stoutly impart.

It was not unusual at the close of the day,
to find him in the garden, dressed the same way,
shirt sleeves rolled up, collar open at the neck
with tie still in place, fussing at the wreck
potato bugs or bean beetles were making of the crop,
chopping at the weeds 'til no light made him stop
or pushing that old plow, the sweat flowing free...
hard work and long hours feed a big family!

Before supper, he'd wash up, taking off those clothes
soaking them, while at table, giving thanks for what grows
in the garden, in the home, in His kingdom in the world,
allegiance to the flag in the corner, unfurled.
Six of us at that table, gathered home for the night,
the aromas of common food, pleasures of its sight
a bounty for the hungry, satisfaction for the cook,
and papa was happiest after reading the book.

But papa's gone now, we laid him in the grave
in his eighty-fourth year. The family, being brave,
gathered to honor him from the corners of the world.
Paying respects to him...universal praise was hurled
from unknown directions, from each of us, the neighbors,
acquaintances, school chums, close friends, co-laborers,
the multitudes he had touched...to this pastor, our dad,
enrobed not in seersucker, in heaven's purest clad.


--H. Arlequin
.
.
.
.
Poems From the Goober Tree http://nathoo.wustl.edu/goober_tree.htm

© Copyright 1999 H. Arlequin - All Rights Reserved
caroline
Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218
http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm
1 posted 1999-10-18 07:37 PM


Beautiful tribute...reminds me of my great uncle, a very fine man.

------------------
"Tread softly, for I have spread my dreams under your feet"~~William Butler Yeats


Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

2 posted 1999-10-18 07:42 PM


What a touching tribute to Papa. I believe that love displayed such as this is the greatest blessing there could be to a parent's heart! You can be sure he's smilin' down on 'ya!

------------------
Denise

Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
3 posted 1999-10-18 07:46 PM


What a wonderful "papa" and what wonderful values he possessed! H A, you must be very proud.
I loved this tribute very much. Very touching and very beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this with us.

------------------

May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
4 posted 1999-10-18 08:52 PM


This work is truly a wonderful work and tribute to the man. He would be honored.
Soleil
Member
since 1999-06-12
Posts 113

5 posted 1999-10-18 08:59 PM


A fitting tribute.
snow in summer
Member
since 1999-08-28
Posts 67

6 posted 1999-10-20 05:03 PM


This is simply astonishing in its crafting as well, of course, as the sentiment.
Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
7 posted 1999-10-20 06:28 PM


Warm sentiments wrapped in excellent verse.

Very well done.

Nocht

------------------
"Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morierus"
(Now as I hear this bell tolling softly for another, it says to me, "Thou must die.")


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
8 posted 1999-10-20 06:48 PM


What a wonderful tribute and so well done. You made him come alive again in your d-description.
Watcher666
Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606

9 posted 1999-10-21 09:04 AM


Wonderful tribute.Well done.

------------------
Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you.

Munda
Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544
The Hague, The Netherlands
10 posted 1999-10-31 05:25 PM


I'm glad I found this one. : )
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