deepundergroundpoetry.com
Fathers Promise
What coarse creature could thrill to Pluto’s brutal rape of fair Persephone,
Or walk a daughter down the aisle and give her to a stranger with serenity?
What surly madman would recklessly drive you off a pleasant country road
For slowing down his mad rush to arrive at some dark and shuttered abode?
Erecting a spike-topped fence, to keep his belongings behind a locked door
Then going to church on Sunday, and giving generous offerings to the poor
Laying up treasures on earth; taking miserly pleasure in all he can possess
Coming home to greet his lonely cat, with a gentle stroke and caring caress
While in the sparse fields his brother toils with the dry and dusty ground
Mother calling children to supper; filling the house with a happy sound
Of laughter and love as they eat their dinner - a meager fare at best
Going to bed and saying their prayers; knowing they are blessed
For his precious family he will labor, for a better life some day
Serene in the knowing of a final bill; that only he must gladly pay
Bent to the breaking he will turn and till, the begrudging sorry sod
Until released from earthly labors; taking the outstretched hand of God
Or walk a daughter down the aisle and give her to a stranger with serenity?
What surly madman would recklessly drive you off a pleasant country road
For slowing down his mad rush to arrive at some dark and shuttered abode?
Erecting a spike-topped fence, to keep his belongings behind a locked door
Then going to church on Sunday, and giving generous offerings to the poor
Laying up treasures on earth; taking miserly pleasure in all he can possess
Coming home to greet his lonely cat, with a gentle stroke and caring caress
While in the sparse fields his brother toils with the dry and dusty ground
Mother calling children to supper; filling the house with a happy sound
Of laughter and love as they eat their dinner - a meager fare at best
Going to bed and saying their prayers; knowing they are blessed
For his precious family he will labor, for a better life some day
Serene in the knowing of a final bill; that only he must gladly pay
Bent to the breaking he will turn and till, the begrudging sorry sod
Until released from earthly labors; taking the outstretched hand of God
Published 1st Apr 2013
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2nd Apr 2013 6:13pm
Nice poem. You use comparisons and contrasts to perfection. The only thing I would like to know is: who or what is "the outstretched hand of God?" Or, why bring in such mystery when the lives you describe are filled with sadness, trials and toil? Why doesn't (won't?) this "God" intervene at some point, make experience easier, more meaningful? Those questions being asked, I enjoyed reading your remarkable poem, brother poet.
2nd Apr 2013 10:08pm
Still getting the hang of things around here and I posted my reply earlier, to your insightful comment just below, thanks!
2nd Apr 2013 8:28pm
Hey Marcella and a couple thoughts on yours. Some of this imagery was inspired by "The Man with A Hoe", a painting by a Frenchman that inspired a wonderful English poem of the same name, around the 1880s as I recall.
As far as "the outstretched hand of God" line, I'd have to the invoke the old adage "you'll get your reward in Heaven" (religion is very big with the poor).
Thanks for the great comment and much appreciated, cheers - Dan
As far as "the outstretched hand of God" line, I'd have to the invoke the old adage "you'll get your reward in Heaven" (religion is very big with the poor).
Thanks for the great comment and much appreciated, cheers - Dan
