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Ratleader

Member Rara Avis

since 2003-01-23

Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

0 posted 2004-06-14 08:42 PM

My Father’s Record

Your voice has turned so young now.
It’s almost unnerving to hear my father’s voice
two decades younger than my own, though
you always did sound younger in some ways,
a youthful lift in you, a buoyant hopefulness
I should have matched considering my years,
but never did.

Now your songs are here again,
carried first through time in scratches
etched onto black vinyl, and now smoothed
for me, made perfect by a digital machine whose
makers weren’t born then, when you held
onto your nerve by that piano in a long forgotten
studio, so painfully conscious of the microphone
but singing anyway.

Yes, I hear you now but
I don’t really need your record.
Every time I sing, whether with my voice
or on a written page, I hear you there beside me,
never to compete but only, as a father does,
to lead me on. Your record is a gift you
gave me but I have another, deeper gift;
of knowing when to sing and how,
a voice that’s shaped to share the feeling,
and a heart that can.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Susan
Member Ascendant

since 2004-03-27

Posts 5104
walking the surreal

1 posted 2004-06-14 08:47 PM

This is most beautiful, such a touch of tender appreciation and love. Thank you for sharing --

Susan

The whole of the Universe resides within each individual heart.

Sadelite
Member Elite

since 2003-10-11

Posts 2519

2 posted 2004-06-14 09:12 PM

I knew there was music in you!  What wonderful gifts your father has given you.  A treasure for sure.
  This was very interesting to read, well written with tenderness.  Enjoyed.
                Sadelite

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

3 posted 2004-06-14 10:21 PM

Ed

I have some of the stories that my father wrote so long ago and published in the Saturday Evening Post...the magazine is falling apart, but his time spent with pen and paper is so special to appreciate in that way. Your father's voice must feel something like I feel when I touch that paper. I'm very moved by this poem.

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

4 posted 2004-06-14 10:47 PM

Very nice write Ed. Enjoyed. Chris

Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.
Hans Christian Anderson

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

5 posted 2004-06-14 10:51 PM

Ratleader
A good write, enjoyed the read.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

6 posted 2004-06-14 10:53 PM

"Your record is a gift you
gave me but I have another, deeper gift;
of knowing when to sing and how,
a voice that’s shaped to share the feeling,
and a heart that can."

Excellent Ed...
You know...I always thought you looked like a singer.
Hugs~

Something tugs at me, I've no doubt of that.
Something from the sea, whichever one I'm near.
When I stray too far from beachland, it calls me back

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

7 posted 2004-06-14 10:56 PM

This sort of needed
a hanky alert...

you see...I have a tape
of a family moment
where my Dad's voice
holds time...

yes...
this needed a hanky alert...
but I thank you
anyway...

with

and

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

8 posted 2004-06-15 12:55 PM

"Yes, I hear you now but
I don’t really need your record.
Every time I sing, whether with my voice
or on a written page, I hear you there beside me,
never to compete but only, as a father does,
to lead me on. Your record is a gift you
gave me but I have another, deeper gift;
of knowing when to sing and how,
a voice that’s shaped to share the feeling,
and a heart that can."

Beautiful ode for your father, RatL. He must have been so special if you are like him.

.....jo

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

9 posted 2004-06-15 03:19 AM

Very nice...James

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

10 posted 2004-06-15 08:32 AM

*click*

I need Kit to work up a smilie, plugging in a lamp in the library, to show off my treasures...

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

11 posted 2004-06-16 10:54 AM

when you held
onto your nerve by that piano in a long forgotten
studio, so painfully conscious of the microphone
but singing anyway.

Yes, I hear you now but
I don’t really need your record.
Every time I sing, whether with my voice
or on a written page, I hear you there beside me,
never to compete but only, as a father does,
to lead me on. Your record is a gift you
gave me but I have another, deeper gift;
of knowing when to sing and how,
a voice that’s shaped to share the feeling,
and a heart that can.

What an incredible tribute... This touches deeply, my friend... for I can just picture a nervous young man in front of a microphone with heart laid open with every note... and the look on the son's face as he hears so much more than a voice.
The last lines say so much about both of you... we don't need to hear the record to hear the song... your heart has written it for us.

Kazm
Member

since 2003-11-13

Posts 99

12 posted 2004-06-16 02:17 PM

I might have hurt your feelings before when I was here. I did mean what I said about you but I didn't mean it to embarass you. This poem is so good it makes me think of my father even if he didn't sing.

Kaz

Ratleader

Member Rara Avis

since 2003-01-23

Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

13 posted 2004-06-17 09:42 AM

Heck no, Kaz -- you can brag on me all day long!

...even cuss me if that would get you back here more often....

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Pilgrimage
Member Elite

since 2001-12-04

Posts 3945
Texas, USA

14 posted 2004-06-17 10:24 AM

I loved this all the way through. What a wonderful gift he gave you, and I don't mean the record, though that is awesome.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

LeeJ
Member Patricius

since 2003-06-19

Posts 13296

15 posted 2004-06-17 10:53 AM

I'm sighing while tears of joy fill my heart
this was an exceptional write and one of my favorites of yours

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

16 posted 2004-06-17 11:46 AM

Yes, I hear you now but
I don’t really need your record.
Every time I sing, whether with my voice
or on a written page, I hear you there beside me,
never to compete but only, as a father does,
to lead me on. Your record is a gift you
gave me but I have another, deeper gift;
of knowing when to sing and how,
a voice that’s shaped to share the feeling,
and a heart that can.

Ed, this poem from your heart really touched my heart.
Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Hugs,
Ethel

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

17 posted 2004-06-19 12:04 PM

I hope you don't mind... but I had to show this to my sister... Our family was a singing one and every car trip was a prolonged concert... with Daddy singing bass or tenor as needed. *S*

I hope you share this with your Dad... and hope both of you have a wonderful Father's Day! *S*

Kevo
Member

since 2004-06-02

Posts 466
Navarro County, Texas, USA

18 posted 2004-06-19 02:48 AM

I believe your song moved the mountains today. What in incredible tribute to your father. This was a great ride for me all the way through. Very inspiring. You pay homage to your father well.

Kevin

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

19 posted 2004-06-19 04:58 AM

thank you for the share

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

20 posted 2004-06-19 10:18 AM

A lovely tribute Rat....as all your work portrays wise words and thoughts

Fagin
Member

since 2004-05-07

Posts 126
Ca

21 posted 2004-06-19 11:02 AM

My Mom taught piano and whenever I get stuck writing a new tune, she comes to me in my dreams, I awake and finish the songs. This has happened on more than one occasion. Your words bring forth many memories I will look for more of your work, as many of mine are lyrics as well.
Thanks, Rat

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

22 posted 2004-06-19 12:54 PM

Ed,  you have done well.  All the needed
feelings captured perfectly within the
expressed lines.  Your tender side is
showing here.  Much enjoyed this.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

23 posted 2004-06-20 10:54 AM

Ed

I know your father will love reading this wonderful poem, and be touched by it.

Happy Father's Day!

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

24 posted 2004-06-20 01:41 PM

It's wonderful to read positive family poetry such as this, and know the warmth a a close family can bring. A heartwarming Father's Day remembering for sure.

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

25 posted 2004-06-23 10:21 AM

This touched me deeply and brought back very fond memories of my own father singing as we grew up. Very well done sir.

/pip/Forum89/HTML/002647.html

[This message has been edited by Gentle Spirit (06-23-2004 10:56 AM).]

Tequilia_Sunrise
Senior Member

since 2003-02-19

Posts 612
Lochalsh, Ontario, Canada

26 posted 2004-06-23 12:12 PM

very nice

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