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Open Poetry #46
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Lost Daughter
| Open Poetry #46 |
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Lost Daughter |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America 
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Hello You'd better sit down, the voice on the phone said. If you're selling something I don't want it I just thought you'd find it too shocking that After twenty-seven years you're talking to your daughter You remember? The one you walked away from? I sat down, gripped the phone Hard enough to crush Yes, I'm that long-lost daughter Hello You still there? Cat got your tongue? Somehow I spoke to the voice We laughed Kinda Nervously Well, Dad, what you think About getting together for drink? For old times sake, no, No times sake, we never had any times Did we? Yes, I croaked That will be fine I was dying on the inside Was this happening? Really? Can your heart Rip through your chest From emotion? Passion? Kaleidoscope flashes of Past shame With A Name But I went where she wanted to meet and we talked She began the conversation because I couldn't What should I do? Spit in your eye? DADDY! No Forgive me if you can I don't know You're my father But You were never there I know I'm sorry I wish I had-- DID YOU TRY TO ABORT ME, DADDY-O? No, I sure didn't, what--? That ain't what I heard But it don't matter, Dad-dy-O I'm here So there What are you doing? Don't Cry They lied to me, didn't they? Huh? They made you out to be A Monster Didn't they Dad-dy-O? I guess they had their reasons I have not had the best life I've done things What Huh? What . . . things have you done that you are so ashamed of? I'd rather not tell It will make you not like me. What makes you think I like you now, Dad-dy-O? Well, you looked me up, you tracked me down, you came to me Don't you like me? I want to But you weren't there for me, Mister Daddy The years of regret zoomed through and around and inside my head I thought of you many times So? I don't know what to say to you, there is nothing to say to you Yes, you can, Dad-dy-O You can say it, you can WRITE IT ALL DOWN! Go over there and sit down and write me a book and tell me who you are You say you are a writer DO IT! I'm not sure I can put it all down I don't know if you want to know it all It will be so hard Are you my Father or are you a Faker? Are you my Daddy or are you a Demon? Are you my Pa or are you a Clockwork Orange? Who are you? I don't know who you are Tell me I will I will begin the story tomorrow Promise Yes . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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| © Copyright 2010 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Eusta B. Mae Senior Member
since 2010-05-03
Posts 903 |
Wow..what a powerful, emotional piece! Those were some serious punches to the solar plexus in pink. Excellent. ebm |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
It was worse in person. Thank you ebm. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
I found my lost daughter a few years back. It was love and acceptance at first sight for both of us. It could so easily have been as your poem expresses which makes me think that timing is all important in situations like this. The older the better - more time to mature. For me your poem was an emotional read so I find it hard to say I "enjoyed" it. I certainly did appreciate it though and if, as you indicate, based on personal experience I can only wish you peace. Helen |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Helen, that was more or less our first meeting. She was a stewardess for Continental and I met her in Little Rock. We have had our ups and downs, but she loves me and I adore her. It took some doing, there was a lot she had to discover for herself that family had told many nasty lies. Her birthday is Friday. Wish I could go to Seattle to see here, but . . Thank you for your kind comments, Helen. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! [This message has been edited by JerryPat (11-10-2010 03:33 PM).] |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
I'm glad you worked through it all. I have a daughter in Seattle - not the lost one though. Helen |
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Amaryllis Senior Member
since 2010-05-20
Posts 1306Mi now |
Oh gracious.. `powerful` is too weak a word... what a gripping write, Jerry! Wow . ~Amaryllis |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Thank you, Amaryllis. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
My brother's long lost daughter contacted me a few years ago and I was able to arrange a meeting between them, Unfortunately it didn't work out and I am sorry to say I haven't heard from her since. This struck a cord. Ida |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
Hi Jerry, this is so true, so vivid, so emotionnal, you could write a play for theater and telle about this fascinating story...Thanks for sharing. yann |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
So sorry to hear your brother's reunion didn't work out, Ida. I am fortunate in that regard. Thank you for reading and commenting. I didn't write a play, yann, but I did write my memoir, "Misdemeanors & Felonies: A Memoir." Thank you for being here. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Too true...I can empathize. I wish you could have attended her birthday today, too. So call her already.  |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Haha! I called Sunshine. I called. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
 Good! |
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Prasad Nataraj Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149Bangalore,India |
Very touching write this Jerry.  "Hardwork pays in the long run" |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Thank you Prasad. Now this poem really happened. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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irmirt Junior Member
since 2010-06-09
Posts 18 |
Jerry, Mending fences to say the least. Thanks for sharing. |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Trying, irmirt, trying , , , . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Jerry, I can't relate, as my daughters have been a part of my life since day one. Our bonds are strong. However, I can appreciate the honesty it takes to write something this powerful and true. Thankfully you've been given the chance to make a real and lasting connection. Grab hold and never let go. Peace. "We'll chase them like rats across the tundra." |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Andrew, I have tried to do just that my friend. Thank you. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Jerry, I liked the format. Raw. The jaggedness helped me to fell the awkwardness of the moment. I must say you are a lucky man. Daughters are a precious gift. Cherish her. Just cherish her. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
This shows your fine emotional writing skills Jerry. Some things in life are just hard to deal with from certain angles. We all have to remember forgiveness and realize it's all in the past. There's no one alive not guilty of something they're not proud of but as the human spirit flows on we become stronger within ourselves once we admit it all and take on humility. Excellent writing! Eric |
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JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Thanks, Larry. You are so right, they are precious gifts. I am certainly a fortunate person and don't think I am not aware of it. Human find ways to mess up their lives daily, and I am sure no exception, Eric. It took me a long, long time to forgive myself for my actions back then. I finally figured how how to do that last October. I slept much better these days because of it. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
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