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Daddy’s Words
| Open Poetry #1 |
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Daddy’s Words |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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Daddy’s Words At the age of eight, I walked along side my Dad I was his oldest girl, my brother his little lad, and although his words were most often spare his weathered, work-worn hands held sweet, lovin’ care. One summer, in the morning’s rays sun-warm I complained of how very slow my days went by. His brown and leathered face looked at me and said “Sunshine, you should be quite happy.” He went on “my days, they go by too fast, why, my tomorrow is already past. Do one thing, my Sunshine, for me don’t wish away your life so foolishly.” I listened, but I guess I didn’t really hear my father’s words spoken to me that day. I think I must have gone and sulked, for the sun passed slowly before night come lay. Then at eighteen, a wedded woman now I kissed my father goodbye after the wedding vows. My whole life before me, as if I had just been born; waved good-bye to my parents, my father’s face ever-worn. At twenty-eight, a decade gone, something bothered my thinking, I began to wonder how this time had passed in a bit of winking. Two children, a divorce, I went to visit my refuge again and my father’s wise words kept me from swiftly sinking. “Treasure your days, they move with swiftness fast, treasure your children, for they are your past, treasure your future, but don’t wish it God speed, treasure my words, for some day I’ll be deceased.” I could not believe he spoke that last thought to me, my father would always be in my life. I went to my own home, met a man, became a wife, never again were my father’s words long gone from me. I watched as the next ten years went by, I just didn’t react; observing my aging children, I photoed my memories intact. Then at thirty-eight, things started changing fast, the first child left, and I questioned “How did eighteen years pass?” At forty, to this grandmother, a grand-daughter was born, I held her closely in my arms, keeping her from harm, a silent prayer I said, with my father’s voice in my head, for he could not be there for her...he was already dead. I whispered my father’s words to her, “my days, they go too fast, why, my father’s tomorrow is already gone and past. Do one thing, my sweet grandbaby, do these things for me, don’t wish away all your days, don’t waste life swift or foolishly.” Another seven years have slipped away, another daughter gone, a new grandson, aged two now, and another one coming along, at forty-seven I can think back quite clearly to the age of eight, and I think that to my father’s words, I will now always relate. ©KRJ 21-Aug-99 ------------------ Sunshine Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 08-21-99).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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blueloon Member
since 1999-07-07
Posts 161NY |
Sunshine- I really loved this poem. It brought forth a great sense of emotion and even keel of time. Not to fast yet not to slow. blueloon |
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poetFemmeFatale Member Elite
since 1999-07-25
Posts 2646Arkansas |
I really loved this line..."Tomorrow is already past..." How hauntingly true!! A very thought provoking piece....and well done! ------------------ - poet FemmeFatale "The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone..." Henrik Ibsen (1826-1906) Norwegian dramatist lyric poet |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thank you, thank you. If we can get a chance to slow down, smell roses, seize the day...we'll then thank God we had the sense to take the time to play. ------------------ Sunshine Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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Julie Senior Member
since 1999-08-20
Posts 739Houston, TX |
I know too the Father that has passed and how his wise words can echo in your head. I can also appreciate the desire to share the knowledge of not taking those all those little things for granted. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Sunshine, A lesson earned is a lesson learned. Beautiful poem. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I knew this would make me cry so I didn't read it until I was in the mood...today is that day. Lovely tribute to your father.. and really to all fathers. A lesson about life, enjoy each moment - they have a tendency to become years very quickly. |
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Sue Member
since 1999-08-04
Posts 383France |
This poem made me remember the long, long, days of childhood. How I wished them away, and how I wish them back now! Thank you, Sunshine. |
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