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PhaerieChild
Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon

0 posted 2000-07-19 08:55 PM





Dear Ol' Dad


They say you look to marry
Someone just like Dear Ol' Dad
I must be the exception to that rule
And for that I will be eternally glad.

When I was seven years old
I did the usual seven year old things.
Catching fireflies in a mason jar
Playing on an old tire swing.

I had a squeaky hobby horse
Mom picked up from some yard sale.
My stepfather really hated it.
"Get off that thing!!" his nightly wail.

One day Mom brought home this cat.
Big and beautiful tabby, we named her Stripes.
Every night dear ol' "Dad" would snivel,
"Ya know how I hate cats!!" he griped.

Mom told him it was a boy kitty
And he was too stupid to know.
Well, Stripes had 5 precious kittens
His response to that was "They're gonna go!!"

He bided his time til they were weaned.
Mom desperately tried to find them homes.
Finally she just gave in to all of us
And gave us each a kitten of our own.

Dear ol' "Dad" would not hear of this
So he called us to the backyard one day.
He lined up all the kittens and Stripes.
One by one he did aim, shoot, and slay.

He made us watch this bloody carnage
And with evil intent in his soulless eyes.
He shot them again, just for good measure
And brushed by us all with purposeful strides.

All of us ran away to stay next door,
We were there for a couple of weeks.
When we went home again he said,
That of the kittens we could not speak.

He finally left a few months later.
By then I was the ripe old age of eight.
He came around during Christmas Season
And I realized my first biley taste of hate.

To this day, even though he is dead and gone,
I can't find one redeeming quality to his life.
He was hateful, spiteful, vengeful, and mean.
Leaving me a legacy of hatred that still cuts like a knife.

They say you look to marry
Someone just like Dear Ol' Dad
I thank God it isn't true.
For surely I would go mad.


By Wild*Child      7/19/00
Magnolia Manor


Poetry~ Words falling on paper, painting a dream.

Shawna R. Holder
Boise, Idaho



© Copyright 2000 Shawna R. Holder - All Rights Reserved
Heather Miller
Member
since 2000-07-19
Posts 409
Bryan, Ohio USA
1 posted 2000-07-19 10:13 PM


that was so sad  (
Heather Miller


With God all things are possible.

Gossamerwings
Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 207

2 posted 2000-07-19 10:21 PM


Thank God, there's not a whole lot of men like him!I am sorry you had to endure that.

This is expressed and written very well.

Keep writing,but be good to yourself...That person isn't worth remembering,so let it go.


Gossamerwings ;)

L Tiuch
Member
since 2000-02-04
Posts 151
NY
3 posted 2000-07-19 11:04 PM


My daughter could have written this poem, because unfortunately I married someone who wasn't like my dear father.  If only I had...he's 85 and will have been married to my mother for 60 years in November.  I, on the other hand have been divorced for 15 years.  Nicely written from the heart.
AVANTI
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 664
INDIA/MAHARASHTRA/PUNE
4 posted 2000-07-20 12:00 PM


very sad but true words comming straight from your heart
well written

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
5 posted 2000-07-20 12:00 PM


Shawna this is so sad! ~HUGS~

Tis good to see your pic too!  

That was a really nasty thing to do, and an image I'm sure that will stick with you the rest of your life. You've written about it well, and be glad he's gone! I'm glad you found someone wonderful (your best friend) to share your life with  

PhaerieChild
Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon
6 posted 2000-07-20 06:34 PM


Heather..yes it was very sad.

Gossamerwings...thanks for your reply. I have tried hard to forget this "person" but sometimes the memories just come slithering back

L Tiuch...I am so sorry for any child that has to deal with jerks like this. I hope her memories aren't nearly as hateful.

AVANTI...thanks for your reply.

WhtDove...glad you like the pic    I too am glad that he is gone and yes the images still come back to haunt me. But thru it all I have found the exact opposite of hate in my husband and best friend. Hopefully someday there will be no more hatred cuz he fills me with overflowing love.

Poetry~ Words falling on paper, painting a dream.

Shawna R. Holder
Boise, Idaho



BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919
New York, USA
7 posted 2000-07-20 07:57 PM


Such a shame that you had to live through this, you've shown your feelings well in this piece.  And after reading your response to Rebecca, I'm so glad to know that you have found someone to replace those old memories with loving new ones.  All the best to you ... Bonnie
epoet
Member
since 2000-05-11
Posts 291
grand rapid,MI, usa
8 posted 2000-07-20 09:24 PM


sad to hear that you and he didn't see eye to eye.  good piece of work though.

P. J. Kotrch
carpe diem
A soul once touched is a soul once blessed by love


ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
9 posted 2000-07-20 10:10 PM


Man that is deeply sad, to make children watch such a thing. Very moving words and lines, I can feel the lifetime of hurt in them.
Nothing stays the same and good ol Dad is just another person with imperfections the same as everyone else so of course you're right that old saying does'nt apply at all.

Excellent poem thanks for confiding such a deep hurt to us and your wisdom to know better.

take care...........ethome.............

vote!

Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London
10 posted 2000-07-21 09:50 AM


sounds like dear old dad was never a part of your life ... a father ... and especially a step father ... need to earn the rank of
'Dear Old Dad'
the man you speak of failed miserably
and my heart goes out to you and all that have not experienced the happiness of a dear old mom and dad
you have my vote

Rex

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