"Daddy Jack..."

Tomorrow' in the USA is "Father's Day" - 2012

I never met or even saw a single picture of my dad.  From the fourth grade on of course the other guys noticed that my sisters and I each had different last names and that neither matched our then current home mailing address.  Yes, there was a price we paid for that - even in a Catholic Parish's Grade School.

Jack was my next sister's dad.  How impressive is a person that I remember him today - so many years having passed.  I went to see him once several years after I joined the Marine Corp.  We were actually on the same side of the country AND within the same state!  He had a family and while they accepted me - well, too many years had passed without knowing and I hadn't yet learned how to forgive him for leaving me behind - I was four.  

 

"Daddy Jack..."

I remember -
  being held
  being teased
  your smile
  your words...

I remember -
  your voice
  your eyes
  your favorite things
  the little things...

I remember -

  the car

  the rides

  airborne after you passed over the bump

  "WHEEE THRILL!!"  said over and over

  - each planned time.

I remember -
  being at the fence -

  watching, crying
  reaching and reaching

  hurting so very bad

  you LEFT me...
 
I remember -
  empty sunsets
  silent rooms...
  you...
  and that you weren't mine
  afterall
...still.

Chris

Author's Note

Feel Free

Reviews

[Baby Ricochet]

Great poem. It's like snap shots

[Chris]

That's what life is... snap shots. Thanks for pausing. Stop by anytime man, you're always welcome.

[Anthem]

Very emotional and heartbreaking and well done.

[Chris]

Its whom we are ...inside.

[Emily B]

oh, chris . . .

[Chris]

Life as we live it...

[Emily B]

others would do bad things and blame the life they lived

[Chris]

fewer than you might think actually...

[J. J. Nightingale]

I don't remember being LEFT .. but now I know, I was .. Left out, and passed by, given away, for other smiles that mattered more .. .. And then came Dad .. not by blood, or by accident ... but from Love alone, I was chosen to be .. His daughter ..

Tears fell when I first read this .. And I did write a comment , but later came back and deleted it .. ..So many emotions expressed , and rememberings, in a single write ..
Thanks Chris, for sharing ..You ...

J.

[Chris]

We've many rememberings throughout our lives... takes many, many inches to walk a mile in our shoes.

[.]

Wow, this is very emotional. This reminds me of my best friend, who had just met his father recently. I am happy that you are able to use poetry as a sense of escape, instead of other means. I have much respect for you, sir. Great job :)

[Chris]

Cord, its just Chris... sir is an old man setting wasting away in the sun - chuckling here. I'm glad you paused. Hope you find that you want to return.

[Persephone]

Quite a touching piece...so many of us can relate....you can feel the emotion in it..wonderful poem

[Chris]

Thanks for pausing, hope to see you again.

[Brittany]

I know you always express your heart in your works, but if this is -your- story, I am truly touched by your willingness to share something that cut so deep and scarred. It brings to the surface my own story and the pain that is still there even though the scar is old. I don't think I'd be brave enough to post that for all the world to see. Write on, my friend. Let us heal and travel forward...

[Brianna Van Zandt]

This is really emotional, Chris. And I can relate. Though I never actually knew my dad, I think I can feel some of the things you do. You have memories, the thoughts and feelings any person feels for their father. I never even had that. I know what you mean by "you LEFT me" and "...you weren't mine afterall". :/ Still really good write, though.

[Ink Angel]

I can relate to this, my first husband a bio father who wasnt worth a dime, Somerista s words, then we have the father, whos worth his weight in gold, and "chose to stick around" in my daughter words. They know nothing of the hurt, the child so fragile, broken even! left behind. They chose not to glance back it was easier that way for them anyway. It takes many years to mend the broken hearts. Thank you. Your poem has inspired me....... wonderful write.

[Allen Smuckler]

Chris..you certainly have a way with words and form....and yes, style.
Heartwarming, touching memories for sure...but it's the unique way you arrive that makes you different and sooooo very interesting. I read you more than comment, because with some of your writing, I don't know where to start. They, as this, are always so intertwined with prose and poetry, I feel like I should be writing 5 reviews.
This write, as you know, truly hits home with me and even though "Daddy Jack" left under different circumstances than "Daddy Bernie"...Their loss left the same gaping hole.
Thanks for sharing these heartfelt, emotional memories.
Sad but true...
allen