a mirrored love

a mirrored love

 

 

dad,

in retrospect

a friend,

an accomplice

an unwavering crutch

when i couldn't walk straight

 

dad,

in retrospect

circumspect

with compliments

damning the poetic soul of me

but the shoulder always there

 

dad

in retrospect

coming to conclusion

that my life was illusion

but in the end

seeing i was as real

 

as he and,

in retrospect

 

i suspect

he is smiling

at these words

and my allusions

that once were his confusions 

 

in retrospect

became the respect

eventually shared

when we both dared

 

to accept.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

9/21/19

Reviews

[Laura Kate]

I have tears in my eyes. I want so much to make my Dad proud of me. We are very different and follow very different paths - there is a lot of confusion there for him because of this, but a lot of love all the same

'damning the poetic soul of me'

Truly a lovely poem.
Laura

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind words, Laura,
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

Dads are, or were, mystical creatures ... loving in their own way ... hard asses when required ... but always there when needed. If we are lucky, they are there for us as we grow, and accept us for the men
we became ... warts and all, and they hide the disappointment they may feel in our choices. And we understand more of who they were and become more attuned to the men we both are.
Hopefully a good relationship.

My own dad passed in 1964 ... still would have liked to learn more than I know of him.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow he was pretty young? thanks for sharing Ted...appreciate your words,
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

He was 44. Died on Halloween. I was 17.

[gram linski]

in retrospect, I guarantee he is smiling at these words, as am I , had a similar type of thing with my dad, another heart felt personal poem, j. how do you do it again and again?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, gram,
j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

There is nothing greater than a man showing his love for a father he loved. This touches me, moves me in a way that's simply hard to express. My Dad died when I was quite young. I wish I had been the woman I am today, instead of the little girl who lost him.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i am sure he is looking down and is really proud of you, Kelly...
thank you for sharing...read morei am sure he is looking down and is really proud of you, Kelly...
thank you for sharing...
j.

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

This is simply amazing as well as beautiful. I wished I would've known my dad, he passed when I was a little one

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i wish that for you too, Kesch...so much we miss out on when we lose our parents at such an early age.
thank you for your words,
j.

[Paul Bell]

Always felt sorry for anyone in a family business. Programmed to succeed daddy, or mummy, continuing the line.
Being individual is the only route in life, good or bad. We all have a path to lead and lead it we must.
I think in later life the respect comes out.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i certainly agree, Paul....in later life....as it was for us.
thank you,
j.

[DAH]

This is simply beautiful, and your dad was a lucky man
to have you as a son.

Thank you for letting us in on this ...

Bravo, jacob!
DAH

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh my...I was the lucky one, DAH...
thank you for your kind words,
j.

[DAH]

My pleasure!

[Crowley]

It was similar for me. I think I was the only emotive and creative in my family. Everyone else was very practical. My dad especially. I know he would rather have had me take to fixing cars or trophy hunting. But in the end, he accepted me for that I was. this was a wonderful look into the father son dynamic. Great stuff Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that acceptance even in the end....is comforting...
my dad was an engineer...so it makes sense...he saw everything in black and white...no grey, no in between the lines.
thank you, Crowley...i know you understand.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I think your Dad would definitely be looking down on you and smiling. He may not have approved initially when you were young and made poetry your choice. Look what you have done with it. Just look at what you have accomplished. Qualifications, a career in teaching, numerous books and a continual love for your subject. Yes, you stuck at it. It is good that eventually you were able to respect each others point of view. You know, I say to my grandkids, I do and say what I do out of love for you. I may not always get it right. Beautiful poem Jacob.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words here, Chris...i hope he is smiling.
j.