Here, We Are
Next to you, we stand.
Sharing the same breath
as we watched how the walls you built
could not withstand Death
Never enough, I feel your guilt
It’s family, I know
You forget we’re your family, too.
You showed me patience
and how to believe, in myself
You taught us kindness
how unconditional love is true wealth
So for you, we give.
Because you are who
you are, my one and only
Dad, why…why still so blue?
Up there, it must get lonely
On that pedestal
come down, be with us again…please.
Don’t believe that shit
that men should never cry
Past haunting, past time to let go of it
Living, yet letting parts of yourself die
See in you, we love.
Waiting for you, to really see
the ones in the breathing here
let go, the poisoned branch of our family tree
Even with all our flaws and fear
That make us slip and fall
Jack had no fear or shame in the dignity of his experience.
Yes, we see your brother’s greed
You give, swallowing their dirt
And, oh! How your sisters’ disrespect makes you bleed
Feeling ashamed, betrayed…hurt
But of you, we need.
You may regret the past life
I regret waiting so damn long to do
this: to say how much you’ve neglected your wife
how your daughter is growing up without you
You regret what could’ve been, then
what of…now?
Say to you, we tried.
Your fear of committing the same mistake
Too hesitant, too blinded by guilt-ridden grief
to see what you’re doing, to see what’s at stake
These glimpses of you are much too brief
Where have you gone, daddy?
Here, but not—it’s worse than I could’ve thought.
You were never on your own
You think we’ve no clue
but we do, and you need not shoulder this alone
We’re here for you, with you
And proud of you,
Believe me, I know grandpa would be, too.
_____________________________________________________
Thanks Kymerean for giving me this poem challenge. With an inclination to be verbose, I rarely write poems...so this was quite the adventure and unexpected rollercoaster of emotions. And, much thanks to my awesome-slash-excellent English major friend for her expert opinion and constructive criticism [PS: the Kerouac line is actually a kudos to you ;) ].
11 Musing(s):
What a nice but sad poem Joanne.
I'd give you a hug if I were near.
I don't like to hold back tears. Very touching poem.
Very moving.
SA
this one is a truly heart felt poem. there is sorrow but at the same time joanne i am also reading about something very beautiful. your relationship with your family. i think all families have that beautiful side intermingled with the sometimes devastating sorrow. your poem did an excellent verse to portray just that.
beautiful poem joanne,
i am very impressed
I don't know why but the poem was exceptionally good when I read it again this morning. Must be one of those things I have to reread to truly appreciate. That or I'm just more awake this time around.
Beautiful. Personal. You reached out and touched my heart. But then again, you always do.
Thank you for being all that you are and giving so much.
Men must have pride for there to ever be a family to protect.
Honor your father, but dont assume his pride.
You feel for him, and he knows you care, but a man must have his pride.
Moderation is the key.
Beautiful :) feels like a song.
Rolando: Thanks for the hug ;)
David, SA : Thank you, both!
This is me: Thanks for seeing that, my family is very important to me.
Vy: lols! I think it’s probably a combination of both. Oh, and I read a poem Kath wrote for her class, when am I gonna read one from you?? =P
Daniel: Aw, you’re very welcome. I think writing this poem was really good for my own heart as well. I cried when I wrote it.
Magari: Well, we do honor him…we love him. That doesn’t change the fact that he has a lot of pride, it’s who he is and we know that’s not going to change. Moderation is important, but so is tough love.
Brent: Aww, thanks. Maybe that has something to do with all the songs I was listening to while writing it. =)
Sorry I couldn't comment sooner. You have written a very touching poem. I found the beauty in sadness, and the line about men crying is most accurate. Real men shed tears, as I did when reading this. Thank you Joanne for taking part in the challenge.
Kymerean
great poem! I am so glad that Katherine was able to help in editing it :) she absolutely thrilled me with her use of the word "enjambment" though it makes me think of crushing my thumb in a door...
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