deepundergroundpoetry.com
The Dinner Table
when I was quite young
we moved from a very tiny home
to a larger home
that had real rooms
not closets pretending
to be rooms
my mom loved
this new home
she took great care
in making it cozy
she was pregnant
and larger
the need for space
was very real
we didn't have a lot
but, we had a dining room
that needed a commanding table
a place to eat of course
but also a command central
where all great things could be discussed
and contemplated
my dad found
a beautiful pine table
with two leaves
for extra company
it could seat six quite comfortably
which was good because
we were almost five
and up to twelve
my dad was so happy
to afford such a statement piece
where so much family activity
could take place
for entertainment
It was always
filled with something
it became the landing zone
for mail that needed sorting
art projects that required
lots of space
books waiting to be read
a beautiful bowl filled with fruit
sat in the center of what some
might consider chaos
when it was time for a meal
all those things were quickly put away
to make room for the formality
of eating
table sat in its beautiful
dark stain
shiny and new as the day it arrived
my dad always at the helm
one leg crossed over the other
reading the paper
while my mom
busily got us all to the table
to sit and eat
surprisingly
there was actually very little
conversation
we were to sit
and our only task was to
finish what was on our plates
whether we liked it or not
there were times
I remember sitting there
watching the outside world go dark
because I just flat out refused
to eat peas
finally my mom
would take my plate
so I could go to bed
this monstrosity
of a table was much
different than what I expected
not that there wasn't joy too
but it was fewer and farther between
than what I experienced elsewhere
this was where my father
set his authority down
he was the ruler of the house
and all of its contents herein
there were many rules
laid down on the surface of this table
none of which we were allowed
to deny or question
our thoughts and opinions
didn't really matter or concern him
if you didn't agree
his fists would come down hard
on the edge and his chin
would tremble
you immediately knew
you went too far
my younger sister
had a way of pushing his buttons
and she would
just to get his reaction
he was surrounded by women
four girls
even the dog was female
my mom of course
I imagine ir was his way
of having a line
that should never be crossed
after all he was "king"
we were lucky
to have such a father
and this table
which he loved
she can still see his hands
against the smooth dark pine
soft and hard at the same time
that's what comes with age
there was never a scratch
or mark on it except for it's own
beautiful knots and lines of age
we were never to write on this table
unless you had a hard book or something
under your paper
for six whole years
we made sure to never leave
the smallest mark on her skin
my sister was now six
in school
excited by her first homework
assignment which she promptly
set on the table
grabbed a pencil and began
writing her name at the top
my sister
mom and I were shocked
that she forgot the number one rule
never, and I mean never
it was too late
we slowly lifted the paper
clear as day
her name was
inscribed on the table forever
there was no way to erase
remove or do anything to cover up
such a mistake
we were panicked
what would dad do
when he got home
we could not hide it from him
it was not in a conspicuous place
just there clear as day
on the opposite corner from
where he sat
even from there
you could see
where her tiny hand
so innocently wrote
HOPE
interestingly enough
my dad didn't say anything
no punishment was given
instead he turned the entire table around
where he could see her name
every time he sat down
from then on
she sat on his left
where he could look over
at her with the slightest smile
after all
what is life without a little hope
we moved from a very tiny home
to a larger home
that had real rooms
not closets pretending
to be rooms
my mom loved
this new home
she took great care
in making it cozy
she was pregnant
and larger
the need for space
was very real
we didn't have a lot
but, we had a dining room
that needed a commanding table
a place to eat of course
but also a command central
where all great things could be discussed
and contemplated
my dad found
a beautiful pine table
with two leaves
for extra company
it could seat six quite comfortably
which was good because
we were almost five
and up to twelve
my dad was so happy
to afford such a statement piece
where so much family activity
could take place
for entertainment
It was always
filled with something
it became the landing zone
for mail that needed sorting
art projects that required
lots of space
books waiting to be read
a beautiful bowl filled with fruit
sat in the center of what some
might consider chaos
when it was time for a meal
all those things were quickly put away
to make room for the formality
of eating
table sat in its beautiful
dark stain
shiny and new as the day it arrived
my dad always at the helm
one leg crossed over the other
reading the paper
while my mom
busily got us all to the table
to sit and eat
surprisingly
there was actually very little
conversation
we were to sit
and our only task was to
finish what was on our plates
whether we liked it or not
there were times
I remember sitting there
watching the outside world go dark
because I just flat out refused
to eat peas
finally my mom
would take my plate
so I could go to bed
this monstrosity
of a table was much
different than what I expected
not that there wasn't joy too
but it was fewer and farther between
than what I experienced elsewhere
this was where my father
set his authority down
he was the ruler of the house
and all of its contents herein
there were many rules
laid down on the surface of this table
none of which we were allowed
to deny or question
our thoughts and opinions
didn't really matter or concern him
if you didn't agree
his fists would come down hard
on the edge and his chin
would tremble
you immediately knew
you went too far
my younger sister
had a way of pushing his buttons
and she would
just to get his reaction
he was surrounded by women
four girls
even the dog was female
my mom of course
I imagine ir was his way
of having a line
that should never be crossed
after all he was "king"
we were lucky
to have such a father
and this table
which he loved
she can still see his hands
against the smooth dark pine
soft and hard at the same time
that's what comes with age
there was never a scratch
or mark on it except for it's own
beautiful knots and lines of age
we were never to write on this table
unless you had a hard book or something
under your paper
for six whole years
we made sure to never leave
the smallest mark on her skin
my sister was now six
in school
excited by her first homework
assignment which she promptly
set on the table
grabbed a pencil and began
writing her name at the top
my sister
mom and I were shocked
that she forgot the number one rule
never, and I mean never
it was too late
we slowly lifted the paper
clear as day
her name was
inscribed on the table forever
there was no way to erase
remove or do anything to cover up
such a mistake
we were panicked
what would dad do
when he got home
we could not hide it from him
it was not in a conspicuous place
just there clear as day
on the opposite corner from
where he sat
even from there
you could see
where her tiny hand
so innocently wrote
HOPE
interestingly enough
my dad didn't say anything
no punishment was given
instead he turned the entire table around
where he could see her name
every time he sat down
from then on
she sat on his left
where he could look over
at her with the slightest smile
after all
what is life without a little hope
Published 25th Sep 2023
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likes 7
reading list entries 4
comments 12
reads 267
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
25th Sep 2023 5:18pm
30th Sep 2023 8:36pm
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments Midnight ... very much appreciated. Yes, it was good to have him loosen up at times.
25th Sep 2023 5:32pm
hello beautiful Jemac this reminded me of some of my own experiences at our dining table but not with such an endearing ending of hope...my dad set hard lines with us three girls...this is beautiful 💕
30th Sep 2023 8:40pm
Thank you so much Crimson for your beautiful comments .. very much appreciated
Humbled and honored by the taking for your RL
Yes, I had my own way .. I was the rebellious one. Still am .. lol. 💞
Humbled and honored by the taking for your RL
Yes, I had my own way .. I was the rebellious one. Still am .. lol. 💞
26th Sep 2023 00:32am
Beautiful share, Jemac! I remember the days when the dining table was indeed command central. This brought back a lot of memories. Thank you for sharing. xo
30th Sep 2023 8:41pm
Thank you so much Ahavati for the beautiful comments .. very much appreciated ox
26th Sep 2023 4:11am
Like Ahavati above, command central and many teaching moments to include chew with your mouth closed, elbows off the table clean your plate, and don't wash down your food.
Loved the ending.
Loved the ending.
Thank you so much maybeitisme for your thoughtful comments .. oh yes, manners always. Something that doesn't seem to be taught too much anymore which is sad. There's nothing wrong with having good manners and respect, although I believe those have to be earned. There's a fine line there ..
Glad you loved the ending.
Humbled and honored by the taking for your RL.
Glad you loved the ending.
Humbled and honored by the taking for your RL.
27th Sep 2023 4:26am
Dear J,
I thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse into this dynamic. I loved how your dads presence softened with the meaning that your sister and her name forever etched into the dining table created for him. The sweetness and reality of family life was wonderfully portrayed in this piece, lovely write. H🌷
I thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse into this dynamic. I loved how your dads presence softened with the meaning that your sister and her name forever etched into the dining table created for him. The sweetness and reality of family life was wonderfully portrayed in this piece, lovely write. H🌷
30th Sep 2023 8:50pm
Dear H🌹,
Thank you so much for your lovely comments ... greatly appreciated. I'm glad that came through, the sweetness that we were so certain would not be there. Sometimes parents surprise us with choosing not to battle when it's most expected. We all felt a weight was lifted.
Humbled and honored by the taking for your RL .
🦋
Thank you so much for your lovely comments ... greatly appreciated. I'm glad that came through, the sweetness that we were so certain would not be there. Sometimes parents surprise us with choosing not to battle when it's most expected. We all felt a weight was lifted.
Humbled and honored by the taking for your RL .
🦋
27th Sep 2023 3:39pm
30th Sep 2023 8:52pm
Thank you so much Josh for your beautiful comments .. very much appreciated
"hope springs eternal"
Indeed.
"hope springs eternal"
Indeed.
