Poems for and About Fathers by Top Critiquers
#father
Poems for and about fathers by top critiquers. Poems written by members who have given lots of feedback to other poets this month.
The Death Rubric
my mom's friend
-let's call her Ethel-
was the first to get an F
the day my dad died
i'd relayed dad's final words
words the nurse on duty
had relayed to me
just hours before
asked late at night if he'd like the lights off or on:
"I'd prefer them on"
"He always was a control freak" i joked
i meant it affectionately, damn it!
his ability to navigate a sailboat across the Atlantic without radar
the time he'd kept his wits after the single engine in his plane failed
the time he put out a fire...
-let's call her Ethel-
was the first to get an F
the day my dad died
i'd relayed dad's final words
words the nurse on duty
had relayed to me
just hours before
asked late at night if he'd like the lights off or on:
"I'd prefer them on"
"He always was a control freak" i joked
i meant it affectionately, damn it!
his ability to navigate a sailboat across the Atlantic without radar
the time he'd kept his wits after the single engine in his plane failed
the time he put out a fire...
#kindness
#father
#death #emotions
#death #emotions
599 reads
4 Comments
Of queens and pawns
She tried to turn it into a game,
making it even more hurtful
when even my 7 year old self
understood enough
to know better
yet still longed to play, anyway
Eventually it was time
to fully dismantle,
taking whatever little hands could carry;
it sparked flashbacks—
reminding
how the four of us
had dreamily done this...all
before
Been made to throw away
or told to leave our favorite things behind; ...
making it even more hurtful
when even my 7 year old self
understood enough
to know better
yet still longed to play, anyway
Eventually it was time
to fully dismantle,
taking whatever little hands could carry;
it sparked flashbacks—
reminding
how the four of us
had dreamily done this...all
before
Been made to throw away
or told to leave our favorite things behind; ...
#father
#childhood
#abuse
#TruthOfLife
#manipulation
614 reads
58 Comments
Legacy of a Dad
To me you were always the high-strung professor,
rarely present except to storm out of your study
with a voice like booming thunder,
“who took my scissors??”
Making it clear our presence
was an inconvenience
to your comfortable routine
and military orderliness.
We offered bald-faced denials
wrought by fear,
followed by surreptitious returns
of “borrowed” items…
when you weren’t looking.
It’s how I learned to keep a straight face
and to disappear.
But occasionally,
there was the playful you ...
rarely present except to storm out of your study
with a voice like booming thunder,
“who took my scissors??”
Making it clear our presence
was an inconvenience
to your comfortable routine
and military orderliness.
We offered bald-faced denials
wrought by fear,
followed by surreptitious returns
of “borrowed” items…
when you weren’t looking.
It’s how I learned to keep a straight face
and to disappear.
But occasionally,
there was the playful you ...
#love
#regret
#father
#memories
#NaPoWriMo2022
312 reads
8 Comments
Dad, I wish you loved me like your job
Dad you will always be an example for me
You showed me how to work very hard for what you want
To never give up or accept anything as impossible
Your strength and intelligence always amazed me
How everyone respected and counted on you at work
You provided so many of the things a person needs
A house, food, security, and I will be forever grateful
Also the opportunity to live in another country,
which at first was very difficult and I was bullied and
picked on a lot for being American but
it offered me the opportunity to experience ...
You showed me how to work very hard for what you want
To never give up or accept anything as impossible
Your strength and intelligence always amazed me
How everyone respected and counted on you at work
You provided so many of the things a person needs
A house, food, security, and I will be forever grateful
Also the opportunity to live in another country,
which at first was very difficult and I was bullied and
picked on a lot for being American but
it offered me the opportunity to experience ...
#love
#father
#heartbroken #FathersDay
#heartbroken #FathersDay
595 reads
31 Comments
The Secret of My Success
I am sorry,
ladies,
for all the bad dads
who made you attracted to a man like me,
because you crave my approval
and affection
but I know how to give you just enough attention
to keep you too insecure
to believe
you deserve someone who will treat
you respectfully.
ladies,
for all the bad dads
who made you attracted to a man like me,
because you crave my approval
and affection
but I know how to give you just enough attention
to keep you too insecure
to believe
you deserve someone who will treat
you respectfully.
#father
#MentalHealth
448 reads
2 Comments
DAD
He was the fastest of his brothers.
So he ran up to the bullies
And provoked them to give chase.
They were creatures of the woods.
Well suited to wilderness
And creative like the sun in trees.
A path of strategic holes was dug.
Filled with impaler sticks
And covered with forest organics.
* * *
He weaved through the pathway.
That weaved circuitously
And he heard screaming sounds.
The brothers sailed into the sun.
Sleeping in their hideout
And made treasures from stones.
The...
So he ran up to the bullies
And provoked them to give chase.
They were creatures of the woods.
Well suited to wilderness
And creative like the sun in trees.
A path of strategic holes was dug.
Filled with impaler sticks
And covered with forest organics.
* * *
He weaved through the pathway.
That weaved circuitously
And he heard screaming sounds.
The brothers sailed into the sun.
Sleeping in their hideout
And made treasures from stones.
The...
#father
445 reads
Margarita Mix
Stop making me feel like I’m walking on water
When I’m with you
I don’t want to drown
When I’m with you
I don’t want to drown
#father
#alcohol
84 reads
2 Comments
don't feel bad
our son came to visit
today for the first chance I've
had since my stroke
to reassure him that
I'm still his ol' dad and I'm
still the same bloke
today for the first chance I've
had since my stroke
to reassure him that
I'm still his ol' dad and I'm
still the same bloke
#father
#son
335 reads
4 Comments
Sunk Deep in Baton Rouge
Sunk Deep in Baton Rouge
“Hello Pops. Sorry to intrude on my wonderfully studious young man in the middle of deep tort contemplations, but I have a little problem. Our house has flooded. So here I am with no adult assistance with our three-year-old son and the water, water is everywhere to borrow a phrase from Coleridge’s ‘Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner.’ Could you get in that wonderful jalopy your Mom bought for us and take us to dry ground?”
“The car is flooded as well I am afraid. I am at the chapel on campus. Wait just a short while and I am sure the car will revive...
“Hello Pops. Sorry to intrude on my wonderfully studious young man in the middle of deep tort contemplations, but I have a little problem. Our house has flooded. So here I am with no adult assistance with our three-year-old son and the water, water is everywhere to borrow a phrase from Coleridge’s ‘Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner.’ Could you get in that wonderful jalopy your Mom bought for us and take us to dry ground?”
“The car is flooded as well I am afraid. I am at the chapel on campus. Wait just a short while and I am sure the car will revive...
#loneliness
#mother
#father
#marriage
#son
40 reads
0 Comments
BEING A MOTHER AIN'T EASY
As a woman and mother sometimes I don't even know how I do it day in and day out, trying to make 50 cents out to be a dollar but yet by the power of the most highest spiritual soul, I manage to put food on the table and keep the lights on and pay the bills. As a woman who has seen good times and bad times I don't know, how I found the strength and courage to still hold my head up high, through the highs and lows of everyday life. But yet I know the feeling all to well as a mother and woman when you gotta do it all by yourself, for the sake of a man who claims to love you but yet he isn't...
#mother
#father
#children
#memories
#responsibility
390 reads
6 Comments
Hell no
Knock at the door
I open to see who's there.
Who the hell is this boy.
Why do you have a bun in your hair.
My daughter comes running
Daddy this is "gggggrrrr"
My wife touches my shoulder
Real quick let's have a word
Stay calm papi
She is becoming of age
No the hell shes not
Trying to bottle my rage
Daddy this Miguel
I just stare
His eyes roaming
What you looking for there
How are you sir
Stop staring at my feet
Why is your hand so sweaty
Why so nervous on first meet
...
I open to see who's there.
Who the hell is this boy.
Why do you have a bun in your hair.
My daughter comes running
Daddy this is "gggggrrrr"
My wife touches my shoulder
Real quick let's have a word
Stay calm papi
She is becoming of age
No the hell shes not
Trying to bottle my rage
Daddy this Miguel
I just stare
His eyes roaming
What you looking for there
How are you sir
Stop staring at my feet
Why is your hand so sweaty
Why so nervous on first meet
...
#anger
#father
#parent
#family
#denial
221 reads
2 Comments
Counting digits
I placed a moment out of reach,
too young to explain the details
embroidered on its
white cotton sleeve.
I trusted it to mother,
she carried it behind closed eyes,
curved reflections pushing shapes
into a wrapped tight blanket.
I watched the light as it entered open eyes,
then scattered into saucers,
settling like fish returning
to the deepest parts of the pool.
We lay there casting quiet,
as the battle tent raged above us.
I held that moments single note,
gripped by translucent...
too young to explain the details
embroidered on its
white cotton sleeve.
I trusted it to mother,
she carried it behind closed eyes,
curved reflections pushing shapes
into a wrapped tight blanket.
I watched the light as it entered open eyes,
then scattered into saucers,
settling like fish returning
to the deepest parts of the pool.
We lay there casting quiet,
as the battle tent raged above us.
I held that moments single note,
gripped by translucent...
#father
#children
#parent
#birth
#fatherhood
427 reads
0 Comments
DU Poetry : Poems for and About Fathers by Top Critiquers