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If Ever I Don't Know

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words" ~ CS Lewis If ever I don't know your name recall these words that I now write: no season ever stays the same - fall yields to winter, day to night. If ever I forget your face - though hard to fathom now, dear child, I ask you to recall the days we walked on trails through canyons wild. Those nights we camped under the stars and filled our lungs with mountain air, the trips we took in vans or cars while singing songs from here to there. Remember beach days, Sunday hikes, or at the lake shore skipping stones, those Saturdays we rode our bikes for donuts or for ice cream cones. I hope you won't become too sad nor let my absence cast a pall, for I will always be your dad I pray our good times you'll recall. Now go and make new memories - in moving on, you play your part. Sing soft our favorite melodies, I'll sing along deep in your heart. written 25 June 2022

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 8/12/2022 6:23:00 AM
John, I made the mistake of reading your very thought provoking poem this morning. I have read it over and over. It's an amazing write. But now I'm having trouble seeing my computer screen to do my real job, as my eyes are watery and my head can't get your words out of it. I think I will start reading these at night when I have less to think about. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us. A teary eyed Graham
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Date: 7/29/2022 10:22:00 AM
I always wonder, what people must be remembering in their hearts. Some cannot vocalize at all! Yet I have seen tears fall from their eyes when I played their favorite music! An outstanding poem. Panagiota xxx
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Date: 7/26/2022 7:43:00 PM
I simply love this. A fave. God bless you with love, Gina
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Date: 7/26/2022 9:13:00 AM
This poem certainly sprouted from deep within, John! I can tell how much family means to you, and in future there will be lovely memories for others to fall back on. ~ Best regards // paul [I was led here today thanks to our mutual friend Mala...]
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Date: 7/26/2022 7:11:00 AM
This poem is so touching ! When people slip into a state of dementia, they can't even recall the face of their own chilfdren, but the love they have will not fade away. Children can think of the sweet days of the past and live on those memories. Those memories are indelible. The love and intimacy expressed is so moving !
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Date: 7/26/2022 6:56:00 AM
John , So very beautiful and heartfelt. I love this emotive write . I noticed that Mala had posted it on Facebook. Filled with lush memories and love . Each moment shared a gift for yourself and your children . I love that you wrote this TO your family. What a gift for them to receive these words from you . A fav ! Love and Blessings my friend, Susan :)
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John Watt
Date: 7/26/2022 2:20:00 PM
Thank you dear friend... I was so touched to see Mala post this at fb, and very kind of you to leave messages of affirmation both there and here. I am trying to write to my family more often, so they get to hear from me how I love them, and so they will have a keepsake or two when I am no longer around. Thank you for the fav and for lifting my spirits today. Hugs ~ John
Date: 7/25/2022 1:49:00 PM
Hi John, someone once told me that a man cannot write with feeling. I should tell said person to come on this site and read this wonderful write. You have written an uplifting piece filled with such emotional lines. This definitely came from the heart. Memories are ever to be treasured. Your words brought forth tears from old soppy here. Has to be a fave. Have a wonderful evening ..... Mike.
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John Watt
Date: 7/26/2022 2:12:00 PM
Mike, I am grateful for your comment and touched by your message. Many men of our generation were raised to deny, ignore, or suppress emotions. I had a long, slow process to learn to identify and communicate feelings, and poetry has been an important part of that process. Thank you for the fave, I'm so glad this spoke to you ~ John
Date: 7/22/2022 7:58:00 AM
Dear John, Revisiting to ask you a question I have. Is it alright to share your poem - on my FB page? Admin. has told us to feel free to share our own poems, or some other poet's, on social media every Tuesday. I didn't feel comfortable to share without asking the poet. I won't mind at all if you don't want. If you are okay with the idea, I will share your Soup page, so your copyright information will show. Please soupmail me if that's the better way of communication. Best wishes.
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John Watt
Date: 7/22/2022 9:14:00 AM
Dear Mala, you have my permission to share any of my poems. I'm deeply honored that you would wish to do so, and I am touched by your consideration in asking. Thank you, dear friend ~ John
Date: 7/20/2022 3:55:00 PM
Dear John, This poem truly brought tears to my eyes! "If ever I don't know your name recall these words that I now write" - what can be more touching than these words? John, you have penned a poignant, heartfelt poem with kindness, affection, love. This is definitely a fave for me - I am going to read this many times from my most favourite collection. You are a soulful, emotive poet, John. Your children are blessed, your friends are blessed too. Best wishes ~ Mala.
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John Watt
Date: 7/21/2022 10:41:00 PM
Mala, knowing this made you a little emotional has touched my heart deeply. I treasure your words of affirmation and am inspired by them to continue writing and sharing. Thank you for deeming this a fave and for all your kind blessings. Peace and light ~ John
Date: 7/17/2022 8:55:00 AM
In this poem you are a selfless, adoring father who wants his children to remember him as he was, and what you all did together and how much it meant to you all and how blessed you all were and how blessed you were to be their Dad.A sentimental write which brought tears to my eyes. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
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John Watt
Date: 7/21/2022 11:01:00 AM
Thank you Jennifer, I've observed two major shifts in my poetry objectives; the first when I decided I wanted to write more ABOUT my family, and the second when I decided I wanted to write more TO my family. This belongs in that second category. Adore your two comments - thank you very much. Blessings and hugs ~ John
Date: 7/17/2022 8:48:00 AM
Hello John dear friend, i indeed like to leave notes in poems for my son, he is a very astute' kind natured, independent, but an extremely loving Soul without showing it all the time, but mostly yes, he does.. I was a single mom with Ricky from the age of 3 to 17, when Elias stepped into The father role as if he was always there. My son doesn't like his name to appear in my poems but if or rather when I am not around any more, he will find me in my poems as well as himself. hugs, blessings, JEN.
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John Watt
Date: 7/21/2022 10:58:00 AM
Dear Jen, thank you for opening up about Ricky. I'm pretty sure you love him more than anything else on earth. He is lucky to have that love, and the knowledge that his mom's history is captured in her poetry as a legacy handed down to him. It is the encyclopedia of your wit, wisdom, faith, and family. Bless you for this lovely, wonderful comment my friend. Hugs ~ John
Date: 7/14/2022 9:21:00 AM
The more independent and talented one is, the bigger the loss when dementia strikes. John, did this poem get POTD or POTW? I don't keep up with those pages as much as I should but this is another classic, poignant, meloncholy yet uplifting poem from the John Watt anthology that is just a joy to read. Cheers - Gary
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John Watt
Date: 7/14/2022 10:09:00 AM
Gary, your kind affirmation means much more to me than a potd. I'm glad you felt this was ultimately uplifting and not just sorrowful. In a way, writing is my way of talking to my kids after I'm no longer accessible, and that moment may come before I leave this earth. Thank you for your much appreciated support. Cheers ~ John
Date: 7/11/2022 1:23:00 AM
John, this is such a beautiful tribute to your children. I had a dear aunt who forgot all four of her daughters. It was heartbreaking. My best friend of over 60 years has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t remember me anymore. My daughter who is a nurse works with these patients that take much care. This poem is another fave for me! I can see how this poem would be treasured by someone who is dealing with memory loss. Bravo! Blessings xxoo
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John Watt
Date: 7/12/2022 10:39:00 AM
Connie, thank you for your touching comment. It's so hard when the body is there but the person is not. My beloved mother-in-law is 91 and possibly going down that road. Bless you for the comment and fave, dear friend.
Date: 7/5/2022 9:42:00 AM
Treasured memories that you will never forget. This is so heartfelt and emotive, John. Tied in so great with the quote as well.
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John Watt
Date: 7/5/2022 5:37:00 PM
Thank you for your endearing words, Andrea.
Date: 7/4/2022 11:04:00 PM
because you miss them. Absolutely love If I ever I Dont Know. A favorite for me. God bless you for writing this keepsake.
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John Watt
Date: 7/5/2022 5:37:00 PM
Heartfelt thanks, Michael. I'm glad it has reached you in a deep way. My kids are both grown and flown, but to their credit, they remain close to us. You are so right, the years go quickly and all we have is memories and occasional photographs. God bless ~ John
Date: 7/4/2022 11:01:00 PM
John this was a heartfelt read for me. It was such a beautiful relation with a loved one of special moments a parent shares. How wonderful your memories are with your child or children to write such a treasured piece. I thought of my daughter when we visited the State Park by the lake and enjoy all the wildlife, looking for all the animals. She was four. What I would give to relive those moments again. The years come and go quickly and they are off to college and there is a void inside left
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Date: 7/3/2022 2:15:00 PM
You truly justice John on C. S Lewis metaphysical quote in the narrative form.. blessings Silpika
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John Watt
Date: 7/4/2022 3:17:00 PM
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Silpika. Blessings to you ~ John
Date: 6/30/2022 7:46:00 PM
I’m so happy you posted this soulful and melancholy poem, John! I feel time passing with all the memories, wrapped up in earnest hope and love. Excellent, as usual! God bless! :)
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John Watt
Date: 7/4/2022 3:16:00 PM
Thank you for your lovely comment, Laura. I tried to balance specific events I shared with my kids while making it relatable. That's a delicate balance sometimes. Glad you liked this. Hugs ~ John
Date: 6/30/2022 2:54:00 PM
Wonderful, John! A lovely poem for your family!
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John Watt
Date: 7/4/2022 3:13:00 PM
Thank you Kim!
Date: 6/30/2022 2:23:00 PM
John, what an outstanding write. From beginning to end. Hugs, Panagiota
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John Watt
Date: 7/1/2022 5:22:00 PM
Thank you for the visit and lovely comment, Pangie. Hugs ~ John
Date: 6/29/2022 6:39:00 PM
Just a gorgeous explication of and elaboration on the C.S. Lewis quote, John. Masterful! Bravo, Gershon
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John Watt
Date: 6/30/2022 11:26:00 AM
Thank you, brother Gershon. Your words ring loudly of encouragement ~ JW
Date: 6/29/2022 2:15:00 PM
This is equal parts nostalgia and melancholy, but I love how you look to the good memories to outweigh the bad - your first stanza so eloquent about changing seasons and day yielding to night, brought a tear, since my own mother is dealing with some of those issues~
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John Watt
Date: 6/29/2022 3:21:00 PM
I'm sorry you are going through this with your mother, dear friend. I share your tear. My mother-in-law is one of the most intelligent, independent, talented, charming, and strong people I have ever met and it is hard to see that eroding away with time. Thank you for your much appreciated visit ~ John
Date: 6/29/2022 2:04:00 PM
Ah, John, you brought a heart to my heart with this one. I sued to do activities with those with Alzheimer and Dementia, it was oh so sad to see, heart wrenching, Thanks for the read today, stay blessed with memory as long as you can xo
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John Watt
Date: 6/29/2022 3:15:00 PM
Rose, thank you for the sweet comment. It is a sad and lonely place for both sides as the connections and memories you once shared fade away ~ John
Date: 6/28/2022 11:32:00 PM
Your lines are tinged in the hue of blue but love flows in each one. What sorrow is felt when a loved one’s memories have been lost. Beautifully written from your compassionate heart, John.
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John Watt
Date: 6/29/2022 3:16:00 PM
I deeply appreciate your compassion, dear friend.
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Jenna Logan
Date: 6/29/2022 1:18:00 PM
I'm very sorry that she, and you as her family are going through such a trying time.
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John Watt
Date: 6/29/2022 11:44:00 AM
Thank you so much Jenna, it is nice to hear such complimentary words from someone I admire so much. Dementia has been on my heart as my mother-in-law has recently been diagnosed with early onset.

Book: Shattered Sighs