i am there

i click my heels three times and i am there

in less comfortable shoes and much younger of course

and you are there too

that space between your two front teeth showing

because you are smiling

you always were

the clouds look so soft up there in the azure sky

you invite me to join you on one

singing a slightly off key tune

but in your voice any song is a lullaby

the sun peeks through a cloud

                        a sequin in the sky

a new quiet is born in this moment

i awaken from the dream

to light the yahrzeit candle for yet another year

because you were my daddy

Author's Note

the photo of my daddy and me was taken in 1970 in blankenburg, belgium

Reviews

[Neville]

These are such beautiful words Lydi and as always so skillfully crafted. On this occasion you have made available to us here a truly beautiful dedication to your daddy. Oh' and what's more, the photo of you both is smashing too. I am truly glad that I stopped by here today.....N

[Lydia Shutter]

Neville, thank you so much. I appreciate the visit. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi... it is amazing that 'fate' took me to your poem again tonight on
January 3, 2020. I was thinking of this same photo just a couple hours ago.
Perhaps our Angels in heaven do guide our thoughts and spend time with us.
truly, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Pat, this is one of my favorite poems and I am honored you came back to it today. Thank you so much. Lydi***

[ROXANE DORSEY]

I think it is wonderful that a young lady can enjoy her daddy. i had my grandfather to thanks as a true wonderful, loving man. thanks for this lovely poem.

[Lydia Shutter]

A father-daughter good relationship is all important in a little girl's life....grandfather's often fill that role too. Thanks, Roxane. Lydi**

[GreenShoes]

What a lovely picture, and what a nice tribute to your daddy! This is a heartwarming poem, and I learned something new, I never heard of a yahrzeit candle before. I lost my dad, too, and tears come to my eyes every time I think about him.

[Lydia Shutter]

So sorry for your loss, Karen. We never forget them. Thank you for the lovely review. Lydi**

[Nigel Newman]

Lydia Hi. It's not quite the right word, but I enjoyed this. I think it flows very well and paints pictures of you and your father that feel real..[One of my favourite lyrics is Mike & The Mechanics 'Living Years'. I recommend a listen, though the father-son relationship there was more stormy than how yours seems to have been].

If I have a suggestion, it would be to reduce the obviousness on the last 2 lines. Yahrzeit and 'yet another year' are unnecessarily duplicative; and I personally would have a different last line, something like 'and one of these years, Daddy, we'll again ride those clouds'. But that's me not you. It's very good and may I say thank-you for sharing it.

[Lydia Shutter]

Actually, no they are not the same at all, Nigel. What I meant was I am lighting the candle for the 23rd time. Yahrzeit is once a year as you obviously know. We all write in our own style. I appreciate you reading and reviewing. Lydi**

[Miss Sharon]

One solitary tear slips down my cheek as your beautiful words touch me deeply. Love to you always my dear friend.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Sharon...for the empathy and the review. Lydi**

[Desert Knave]

Such a wonderful and loving tribute. ~Jim

[Lydia Shutter]

Hey Jim! Always a nice surprise to see a review from you. Hope your summer is going well. Lydi**

[Desert Knave]

My pleasure. Summer has been iffy so far, but has me trying to write. Have an awesome weekend. ~Jim

[Lydia Shutter]

You do the same, my friend.

[Alfred Kukitz]

I'm here in miracle land with words that speak in the grand scheme of little things. What a cutie!

regards,
al

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Al. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

What a beautifully written piece this is, Lydi! This is truly when you shine your brightest - when your heart overflows with the love of family. Every woman's heart skips a beat for their Daddy...I know mine forever will!

[Lydia Shutter]

You know I have written about my Daddy many times, dear Kelly. Thank you so much for your review. Lydi**

[Patrick Ramsey]

This is wonderful! It conveys love, and I don't know who it is at first, but I can tell that you appreciate the memory. Love the cloud imagery. and the words you use. Nice poem.

[Lydia Shutter]

It was about my father....the man in the photo with me. I was only 17 at the time. Thank you for the review, Christopher. Lydi**

[Ally Monique]

Love how you set this poem up. Its structure carries the readers eyes down a wave of excitement and emotion. I love "a new quiet is born in this moment." Great photo too :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Ally. Lydi**