My Father Never Listened To The Blues

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icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

0 posted 2013-06-16 12:45 PM

My father was a quiet man
and I owe him much;
though
like many Irish he was cold
on the outside.

I can not remember anytime
he put his hand on me,
either in anger
or to show any soft emotion,
except the night he died;
he took my hand,
held it in a grip like banded iron,
kept his eyes locked inside mine,
even while his body
was very busy dying.

Yet I know he cared;
it is a rare day that passes
when I do not use some skill he taught me,
like how to see in darkness
with just my fingertips,
the understanding of duty,
of loyalty,
of never making promises
that won't be kept,
knowing not to go
where I don't belong,
or just the simple basic sense
of knowing right from wrong,
or some little trick he knew
and tucked away inside my brain,
like the simple one of knowing
when it's going to rain.

Often
I am sure I fail to pause
to recognize the source,
but when I do,
my mind skips backward over time
and links the many moments
when,
by each lesson I recall,
my father comes alive again
inside my soul,

©2004, 2013 by icebox

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

1 posted 2013-06-16 12:56 PM

One of the absolute best tributes to a father that I have ever read.

~*~ A somebody was once a nobody who wanted to and did.--John Burroughs ~*~

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

2 posted 2013-06-16 01:33 PM

You always nail it Charly. I love this. I loved my dad and do not seem to tell enough nice things about my mom. I think too may daughters do this.

My Dad was German and they are known to be stoic, but he was able to show me that he cared without hugs and kisses.

Neither gave me much of that. I think it was really the old way to be brought up. Today everyone seems so in need of hugs. I have never been a great hugger so when I give one it has more meaning.(((Hugs to you))) .jo

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

3 posted 2013-06-16 01:58 PM

Great tribute to your father. It sounds like your father and mine had a lot in common. The words on my father's headstone read: Harsh, but loving. I love the feeling when I catch myself doing something exactly the way he taught me. I know he's part of me still, and always will be in those moments.

Michael

MorningStar
Member

since 2009-10-26

Posts 290
Pittsburgh, Pa

4 posted 2013-06-16 06:11 PM

This was wonderful. Really.
A

"I'll tell you how the sun rose
A ribbon at a time..." - Emily Dickinson

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

5 posted 2013-06-17 04:28 AM

This is wonderful, Charly. I find myself remembering the bad things about my father lately but reading this is going to make me delve further - as soon as I nail the forgiveness bit. I actually know that I do forgive him but don't quite believe it yet. Still, it was what it was, right?

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

6 posted 2013-06-17 09:26 AM

superb "Father's Day" write!!

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

7 posted 2013-06-17 10:02 PM

Fine writing...James

MGROVES

Member Elite

since 2004-02-01

Posts 3802
california

8 posted 2013-06-17 11:26 PM

when i was young i hated my father, now i am old, i was blessed to have him as one, hard school , only way to learn what is important in live, luv ya ice

My spirit will rise
above the sea~
There will be no drowning
of my soul or me~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

9 posted 2013-06-21 03:45 AM

A very beautiful poem, Charly, in every possible way. I am very happy for you that you had such a father. My father didn't know what any music was, let alone listen to any.

Owl

Gale
Senior Member

since 2013-06-10

Posts 578
Russia

10 posted 2013-06-21 05:08 AM

I'll subscribe to Jerry's reply!
It's written with a great feeling of love and respect!

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

11 posted 2013-06-24 07:28 AM

I bet your father would be as touched as I am by your poem. I am happy that he lived.

A

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

12 posted 2013-06-25 10:05 PM

Thank you all for yout time and your kind comments.

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

13 posted 2013-06-26 01:54 PM

This is a good poem,
for a good dad,
and the good man
his son has become.

Ms. E

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

14 posted 2013-06-26 03:20 PM

There aren't many men like that left, Charly.
Our present society is busy emasculating them. I see some of my own father here. Excellent tribute.
Ida

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-11-08

Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

15 posted 2013-06-26 08:48 PM

tHIS IS AN AMAZING TRIBUTE TO YOUR FATHER. tHE GREATEST COMPLIMENT ONE COULD GIVE IS TO SAY I WISH I HAD WRITTN THIS.
I WISH I HAD WRITTEN THIS. I WISH I COULD WRITE SOMETHING SO WARM AND GENTLE AND MEANINGFUL
lIZ

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