Hopscotch Lines

You have lightness and heart in your poem and wisdom in your note.  I salute you for all 3.  Your poems often take me to different parts of this country and to my past growing up.  To that end you have succeeded in brightening my vision and soul.

BIG LIKE

Thank you PS.
I have always had a "down home" type outlook.  It's the simple basics that hold up the complexities.  I stick with what i know for the most part.  It works for me.

I love the way this transported me back to the carefree days of childhood.  The colours and sounds were so vivid, and I love the note of wisdom too.

Cool reply, because it transported me too a bit.  She's grown now. And I'm just her old dad in another state.  Lol.   I'm a cool dad, tho!  I always try to be easy going but also firm with my interaction with her.  Hopefully it continues to pay off.

I appreciate your comment, Ellie.  Hope your day is awesome over there!

You do sound like a cool dad, and thank you for making such an effort with your kids.  My dad was unfortunately a complete waste of air.  Did the deed, beat up the mums and buggered off!!

Just the opposite here.  Good dad, horrible mom.  Lol.  
But, he was strong enough to be enough.  It all worked out.

Hey Styx:)

This is absolutely a gem and more than just a poem.  
The carefree tone and the nurturing of imagination given to your daughter is so
awesome!!! She is very lucky to have a cool dad. And (you) to be blessed with a daughter
to keep you on your toes - couldn't have happened to a luckier guy. hahaha
I gave my mom a run for her money. LOL
My dad was around but my mom was the one to dish out the discipline and bonding.  

It's all about the kids when you realize the relationship isn't working out.
I have family members wo struggle with it. I also have family members who are currently  
sticking it out because of the kids as well.  
I don't agree with that either.  They will think a toxic marriage is the norm.  
You are 100% right about it paying off itself in the long run.  

The poem has your unique voice but the author's note and the message - goes beyond words amigo:)

Thanks Del.

Her mom made it very difficult for my daughter and I to see each other.  They left the state even. No notice where for a long time.  I tracked them down eventually by tracking my child support payments.  Her mom even withheld all of my letters , gifts, etc, from her.
I barely ever had any contact, from her being age two to nine.
At nine, her mom called me and told me to come get my daughter, because she was being so difficult.  I left within two hours, from Florida to Tennessee.  
Turns out, her mom's new boyfriend didn't like kids.  
Good. I got my daughter.  

The story continues, good and bad.  But I'm stopping here.  

God knows I'm not perfect.  But I guess I turned out to be a pretty good dad.  

Dear S,

Absolutely lovely. The details take us right into the live action of the setting and story. I really enjoyed the playful nature throughout but the love between father and daughter was simply stunning. Very thoughtful authors note. It seems to take some parents by surprise that the well being of their offspring should come first. Gorgeous write. H🌷

Thank you muchly, my dear.  
Not just my own kids, but all kids I've been around, I treat them all like they're mine anyway.   I will play dolls, sports, color, name it.  Lol.
The world keeps swirling crazier and crazier.  Kids need to see a steady and happy influence somewhere.  And without judgement.   Let them grow up at peace with their surroundings.  
We owe them that.  
Some of the women I've dated over the years, I regret losing contact with their kids more than with them!  Because I see how me being a positive influence can give them an idea that all men(fathers) are not blind to them.  

I'm going to be old as dirt one day, today's kids may be my caretakers!  And because i was cool back then, they'll give me all the pudding, and let me smoke in my room.  Lol.

Thank you for the keen reply.  And you are correct.  
I inherited my imagination/creativity from my dad.   He was a part-timer. But he made up for it in droves when he was around.  

Today's kids are tomorrow's adults.  We better get it right, so they can.

I appreciate your popping in and giving this props.  Thank you.

Your writing has such an amazing way of bringing the reader into the vibrant scenes you create with your words. It's like an intricate portrait so full of color and a motion picture full of energy, emotion, and sound; even the smells come through. It makes me feel like it's my memory. And you make capturing the imagination and excitement for life a child has look so easy which is such an incredible feat. There is so much beauty in all these things you have described. And that intense love that a parent has for a child and how she keeps you young and you can be such good friends. Absolutely gorgeous Styx. I have to admit I actually teared up reading this one. My Father never wanted a child and worked pretty much all the time, his ambition was his passion. And I feel like I missed that experience of having what you described in so many ways. And I guess I needed that so it led to other bad things. Anyway, this is just so lovely...

And all those bad things, mixed with the good, helped make you who you are today.   Seems like ultimately you're a winner nonetheless.
Don't dwell on the past. It can't hurt you.  It can only help steer you in wiser directions.  

One or two people in our lives do not represent the whole masses.  Just as a bad year or ten do not dictate our futures.  We have hope. And that is worth a zillion dollars.  So be rich on that hope. Splurge on it.

Thanks Scooby.  For your wonderful comment.  It's appreciated.  

"Once we poke the sky
deep enough
to make it rain."

"She screams, she laughs
Knowing lightning will avoid her
-or else she'll capture it"

Too good. Golden lines. I mentioned it before, you have the power to stop the reader and make him sigh in delight. It is probably the perspective -- he is astonished by the point of view, by what you see.

Love it.

It's all about creative writing, right?  
As you mentioned prior, I also do not know my formal poetry from an ass in the ground.  Lol.  I just enjoy writing and creating something decent that didn't exist before.  

I truly appreciate your comment/s.  Thank you.

Discovered your work from your thoughtful comments on Alviola’s poetry. Just read your Hopscotch Lines poem and it’s a delight. Ty. It’s always lovely to discover wheat amidst the chaff. Looking forward to reading your poetry all the way back. I’m following you.

Well thank you Mrd.   I'm glad that you found some value in my scribbles.  Isn't that the point, really, to sharing our material?  To be acknowledged for our efforts?   I tend to write with an audience in mind. -Will they get something positive from it.  
Just like the love notes of old, to our secret crushes when we were kids.  

And in turn, I will definitely go check out your material.  I'm looking forward to it.  

Thank you again.  It is much appreciated.

Wow, this is so beautiful  - saturated with such admiration and wisdom, and of course your vivid descriptions. Daughters are a marvel, indeed. I'm glad you're not too busy for yours... I can only imagine what a blessing that must be to her.
Sweet, loving write, sir
❤️k

Good morning BT.  
It's labor day holiday, which means I am soon to be laboring on my yard, and the old neighbor lady's.  She asked how much I will charge her and i said "a cold soda". The yards are small.  No biggie.

My write here is a seemingly ancient one. Because my kiddo #1 is an adult now.  And we are only close when she needs some kind of help.  Lol.  Typical I know!   I am on my way to fading and she is out there nourishing the sun.  
Thanks for your kind comment.  I like the early morning smile it gave me.