Reality

Fathers, daughters, changes, relationships, responsibilities, death

REALITY

I heard a reluctant yawn,
Restless and uneasy,
Wondering, longing for his return,

But it’s just a memory,
A tiny bubble floating by,
disappearing like,
The evening sky or fall leaves
once flaring red and yellow,
 pushed down into the earth, over time,
But still there,
Just a lovely flash, a daydream sublime,
Of the past gone by.

But like a vacuum she’s sucked back in,
Back to insanity,  
there goes her gravity.
This cannot be her reality.

But his voice, echoes her name,
 calling her in a consistent rhythm
Like a sledgehammer on her brain,
Pounding, again, and again,
invading her mind,
Constantly reminding her,
 of the translucent
Finality,
his death will bring,

The catastrophic calamity,
Did she provide for his needs?
On the stage, she stands alone, unsure
Of anything at all,
Waiting for his pecking, his call
But no applause or praise will ever come her way.
The balls are falling down,
Around her wobbly knees,
What great sorrows, a Cantankerous Father does bring.

But she is compelled to repay him,
For the forgone, but gentle way,
He held her hand and played,
In her carefree childhood days.
 
And is hopeful gravity will come again,
The lure, the weightless invisible pull,  
only he can provide, that fills her soul,
lifts her up high by his humor, his wicked guise,
 
But then, when he goes to his final sleep,
Will the dark protective veil cover tears
Of weeping,
or a smile of contentment and peace.

But, surely he will demand,
A coffin alarm, placed beside his unfamiliar arms,
That held her as a  girl,
Will he pull the rope,
Will the bell ring on his headstone,
Will he awaken from his sleep,
Will he call my name
From his grave?

There goes gravity again,
She’s pulling her thoughts back in,

For when he does go,
She will know, she did everything,
A daughter should, to satisfy,
A discontented, overbearing and lonely man.
That she once adored,
And still loves, because she knows,
Fault and blame are useless things,
Something she learned from a wise Father,
 Long ago.

Reviews

[Bear]

Commenting on other peoples emotional work is like walking through a minefield, one misstep and you can find your foot in your mouth :) As I read through your poetry and see the progression of your work you truly have grown in your ability to express yourself. I haven't read it all yet but I will in time, I hope you don't mind if I make some notes and send them to you once I have read it all?

[Confuser]

Not at all....I suppose when I first began people would think it unkind; but I always said; If I wanted applause, I'd join the circus; and I don't believe in attending....T/Y.....

[Jimmy Yetts]

Heartrending and deeply perceptive.
Would that all young women could offer their fathers the wisdom, the amazing empathy, you so eloquently offered yours--gifts precious and quite priceless.
An introspective, lyrical, lovely--unexpected--ode to a decidedly human dad.

[anne]

so powerful...i wish to reread it again and again...:))

[Magnus]

This is a piece that you read and don't forget! Its a very nice written piece! I will read more of your pieces as this is my first! Keep it up!

[Confuser]

Thank you Magnus, I will want to read your writings as well. Have 78 requests, woe!! Believe some people, sent everything they have written and I am slow, want to absorb every word. Thank you for reading. Thank you so much.

[Magnus]

Hakuna matata! Did doesn't take a request to read and review your work I can subscribe mean while!

[Confuser]

I didn't quite get that; so sorry, just read a lovely poem of yours; you are a great writer. If someone is every kind enough to read MY writing, I immediately go to there work. I'm always interested. Thank you, Magnus.

[Confuser]

Didn't quite understand Magnus; just read a lovely poem of yours. Amazing writing. So glad you are here!

[Magnus]

Hakuna mata it means no worries! (Lion king) thank you for the review! I didn't know of your poetry accomplishments till I saw/read your profile! Inspiring!

[Pushkar Prabhat]

very emotional and again,
brilliant writing..........
heartfelt and honest tribute.....
i loved it!!!
:)

[1Disawsum]

this one pulls at the heart-strings. Very emotional and overpowering with tragedy, and the background knowledge of imminent death. It seems throughout this poem that she does not completely love her father on the outside, yet of course, deep down, she knows that she does. For she feels compelled to repay her father for all of the love and heart he gave her when she was little. This poem shows that she is quite grown up and mature to know that "fault and blame are useless things". An emotion-filled scene through this one piece, amazing job. xxx

[Workvio]

Nicely done ... A great tribute to any father, even us overbearing fathers ...

[Confuser]

Thank you Marvin - pure fiction. My father is fine. So glad you liked it.

[Confuser]

Thank you Marvin.

[Sami Khalil]

So many great lines to quote and appreciate. Your pen is mighty in its effect...:)......

[Confuser]

What a nice compliment - pure fiction, this writing - and coming from you, Sami, that's is amazing. I'm new to writing. Your writing about legacies - still has me thinking. Oh, how I love philosophy. Thank you.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)........

[Confuser]

........t/y

[Sami Khalil]

:).............

[Confuser]

This just keeps going, wow. Thanks.

[icelandicblue]

This is such a touching piece. Who we were and who we become in our older years is so often molded by disease and pain. We should be kind to those in the latter part of their lives. They look over the fence at death every day. I was very moved by this piece:

For when he does go,
She will know, she did everything,
A daughter should, to satisfy,
A discontented, overbearing and lonely man.
That she once adored,
And still loves, because she knows,
Fault and blame are useless things,
Something she learned from a wise Father,
Long ago.

[Confuser]

I'm blown away. So glad you liked it. Thank you - I really appreciate it.

[jennifer little]

wow what a wonderful poem you did a wonderful write here .. i liked it a lot