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Open Poetry #8
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notlikely2
Member
since 2000-06-16
Posts 308
UK

0 posted 2000-06-20 10:06 AM


You never played football with me
You had a "bone in your leg" you see
And although my big brother, or sisters would do
I really wanted to play with you
But you never played football
With me

I understand
Now
How tired you were
For you worked yourself to the bone
And then I came along
So late in your life
I expect you grew tired of my moans
You deserved a good rest
You needed it too
I know you'd have played
If you could
But I bet that to lay
On the sand
All the day
In the dunes
By the sea
Felt so good

We all had such fun
In the sand
And the sun
Eating picnics
For dinner
And tea
We waited for hours
For "ten minutes" to pass
After eating our sandwiches
And cakes in the grass
Then a mad dash on shingle
With bare feet flying
To see who was first to get wet
A race to the sandbanks
A walk on the beach
And "It can't be time to go yet!"

So, Dad
If you're listening
Don't think me unkind
For I loved our weekends by the sea
It's just
That they would have been truly complete
If you'd only
Played football
With me



© Copyright 2000 John Ward - All Rights Reserved
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

1 posted 2000-06-20 10:30 AM


I enjoyed the memoir quality of this poem...lovely writing!

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Not A Poet
Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885
Oklahoma, USA
2 posted 2000-06-20 11:18 AM


A sad tale, though very well told, that happens all too often.

Pete

notlikely2
Member
since 2000-06-16
Posts 308
UK
3 posted 2000-06-20 11:27 AM


Just a quick note.
Although this may appear sad, in fact it was written a little tongue in cheek.  It was the result of a conversation, some years ago, with a friend about the failings of our respective parents. Despite much head scratching, I had to admit that the only thing which I could think of to criticise my father for would be that he didn't play football with me when I was a small boy. (But he really DID have a dodgy knee joint......something which I now suffer from myself!!!) However I recently caught myself using the same excuse to my son.......hmmmm...I won't be doing that again!

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