»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #9
»
Papa
| Open Poetry #9 |
|
Papa |
|
|
H. Arlequin Member
since 1999-08-23
Posts 210 |
Papa Rumpled and sweat-stained that seersucker suit, too short the trousers, too tight in the boot, made to be machine-washed and hung up to dry like the nylon white shirt, and the dacron blue tie. Parts of his ensemble, every day of the week he'd wash one and wear one, plenty for the meek of the kingdom. To enjoy two identical pair, was enough and to spare, so His teachings declare. Not through the elbows and neither in the knees were signs of their age, as new as you please, a seersucker lasts like threads made of steel and looks as good as its touch makes you feel! The rich and the famous, middle class and poor, in Sunday-meeting-clothes, summer heat to endure, made the more bearable, light weight and wearable, to ladies desirable, but for men reliable. So Wednesday or Sunday he'd dress just the same as if clothes made the man and blessings all came to the prim, the proper, well-dressed and enduring, the image important, to the eye reassuring. Yet inside propriety, other threads made of steel had woven tapestries of character, the strong seal of approval etched the nature of his heart, for family, reassurance he'd always impart. It wasn't unusual at the close of the day, to find him gardening, dressed the same way, white shirt sleeves rolled up, collar open at the neck the tie loosened in place, fussing at the wreck potato bugs and beetles were making of the crop, chopping jimsonweed 'til no light made him stop, or pushing that hand plow, the sweat flowing free... hard work and long hours feeding a family! At supper, he'd wash up, taking off those clothes, to soak. At table, he gave thanks for what grows in the garden, the home, His kingdom in the world, paid allegiance to the flag in the corner, unfurled. Six of us at table, gathered home for the night, aromas of common food, pleasures of its sight plenty for the hungry, contentment for the cook, and papa, happiest after reading the Book. When papa was called home in his eighty-fourth year, he still dwarfed surroundings, as if death a mere nuisance, he'd resolve after a brief nap. Gathering in honor from four corners of the map his joyous home-going celebration in mind, family, the neighbors, scores of friends left behind, the multitudes touched as pastor, praise our dad, not seersucker robed, but in heav'n's purest clad. --HA |
||
| © Copyright 2000 H. Arlequin - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Tennessee Angel Senior Member
since 2000-06-03
Posts 661Tennessee |
Amen! What a lovely tribute! This was absolutely beautiful and touching, HA. Great!  --You can either take me as I am...or you can watch me as I go.-- |
||
|
Lovesick_Proletariat Junior Member
since 2000-07-30
Posts 11 |
very lyrical. i like this. the meter is perfect. |
||
|
Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Very enjoyable read. add a vote. |
||
|
Kimber New Member
since 2000-07-31
Posts 8Edmonton,Alberta,Canada |
I'm in awe at the sense of reality, the feeling that I have known this man all my life and yet, I never have. Very good job! |
||
|
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is one of my favorites of yours, H.A. It has a special place in my heart! Denise |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
