Happy Birthday, Dad - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2011-06-02 11:24 PM

Happy Birthday, Dad

getting you to sit still
for Mom’s present of you,
was pulling proverbial chicken’s teeth

although you once showed me
a chicken that had some

Still!

What is it I remember about you,
that goes past your grin and laughing eyes,
the stories you wouldn’t tell,
because no one should feel sorry for you in your
lifetime.

I remember age two, watching you shave and “get sharp”
so we could visit mom in the hospital
after the birth of my brother,

at four you taught me that even humans
can help baby robins live in a crisis,

you taught early that a fair fisherman teaches
how to fish for food, but
a good fisherman nets humility…

at eight, you were teaching me the weight
of a hammer, a lesson tempered with the
heavier weight of a few words,
they’re like nails, they should only serve
to hold your point down,
for nails are expensive…

You made magic with your hands, turning
them to anything, and making anything
turn into a present that has taken me into my
future.

Perhaps you were the best father to the three of us,
because the father you were born to,
wasn’t there for you.

What I remember most, Dad, was
when you said you would always be with me,
your eyes looked into my soul, so that
I knew the truth of your words
as they nailed down my heart.

Dad, meet my Passions’ poet-friends,
for you are my muse that shares me
with them
through your eyes, helping me
amuse them now and then,
for I know you are
the reason I find ways to write
of silly things,

and not-so-silly things,

where I have left behind tenderprints of you,
and our life, and why kids should have
a dad like you.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

I love you.

~*~

Robert H. Rilling
June 2, 1923 – September 4, 1988

Spiros Zafiris
Senior Member

since 2002-10-20

Posts 982
Canada

1 posted 2011-06-03 05:33 AM

..bravo Sunshine; 'twas a pleasure to read..

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2011-06-03 08:47 AM

What a tribute to the man who fathered you, Sunshine. A fine-looking man at that. I feel I know him. I really liked how you "nailed" a couple of lines down with the repeating of the word. Excellent.

~ Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock ~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

3 posted 2011-06-03 12:28 PM

I am so glad you had such a lovely father, Karilea. We can see from his photo (and your poem, of course!) that he was as lovely inside as he is really dishy-looking on the outside. I can see where you get your lovely looks from Karilea. Lovely poem too.

Owl

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

4 posted 2011-06-03 12:38 PM

"Dad, meet my Passions’ poet-friends,
for you are my muse that shares me
with them
through your eyes, helping me
amuse them now and then,
for I know you are
the reason I find ways to write
of silly things,

and not-so-silly things,"

Sissie...Hugs, to you and your dad!

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

5 posted 2011-06-03 01:53 PM

Now I know where you get your contageous smile Karilea! Excellent poem my friend.
Lori

AlCowie
Member

since 2011-05-13

Posts 92
London, UK

6 posted 2011-06-03 01:55 PM

What a lovely touching story. Happy Birthday to your dad.

Al

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

7 posted 2011-06-04 04:41 AM

I have read your beautiful write yesterday and it stood with me somehow, the smile of your Dad, your love for him which you expressed so intensely.

Thank you so much for introducing your Dad to us, dear Karilea. I am sorry he left too early! But I am sure he continues to share his love up there and reaches out to you always and especially when you establish the contact in this way, on his birthday.

Very lovely.

Love,
Margherita

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

8 posted 2011-06-06 10:22 PM

I thank you all for celebrating my father's birthday with me, and the days following. My father's spirit remains such that it is something not to be ignored. When I think of all of his self-taught accomplishments I wonder what might still be in me that has yet to come forward.

Bless all of you.

Love, K

[This message has been edited by Sunshine (06-10-2011 11:21 PM).]

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

9 posted 2011-06-10 07:59 PM

Wonderful when the memories can be so fine...James

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.