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Not the Man

Beneath the surface of you and me, there’s nothing that the eye can see, and though I have your DNA, this is my reality: You bring to mind a sunless day shadowed gray and sad. Not the man Mom first met, you are my dad. (Posted 2/10/2010. This was featured by Soup but never entered in any contest. Of course my dad will never see this! He is mentally ill and can't help how he is. Thankfully my mom started a better life for me and her other daughters when we were very young)

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Kim Merryman

Date: 11/25/2015 10:58:00 PM

A great etheree, Andrea! I don't think I've read this before. Congrats on your win! Love, Kim

Skat A

Date: 11/24/2015 3:13:00 AM

Hi Andrea, Congratulations on your wonderful win. Love SKAT

Scott Williams

Date: 11/23/2015 12:25:00 AM

Very nicely done. I have someone I love a great deal that also suffers from mental illness. My heart goes out to you.

Robert Lindley

Date: 11/21/2015 6:43:00 PM

Congrats on your win. I love this poem about your dad.

Ralph Sergi

Date: 6/6/2015 2:56:00 PM

Hi Andrea: A very sad and poignant poem. To better times

Teddy Kimathi

Date: 6/6/2015 7:52:00 AM

Greetings Andrea. One Zen quote keeps me going: "No snowflake falls at the wrong place". Congrats for having it featured in PS home page! ;-)

Andrew Crisci

Date: 6/6/2015 7:37:00 AM

Hi, Andrea. Congratulations on your poem being future this week. I understand your pain...what your dad put you through. The same thing happened to my family. We had to start a new life when he abandoned us for his mistress. I am so proud of you and your mom for your courage. Peace & Love, Andrew.

Skat A

Date: 6/2/2015 11:29:00 PM

ANDREA, Congratulations on having your poem featured this week. SKAT love

Sharon Gulley

Date: 6/2/2015 1:42:00 PM

A wonderful write and congrats on being featured. sharon G.

Diane Christian

Date: 6/2/2015 10:58:00 AM

Aww a sad but lovely poem, My dad had a break down when my mum left home I was 13 and understand it is painful to see our loved ones suffer. Well done on your features work

Catherine Labeau

Date: 6/2/2015 8:10:00 AM

but you shine a little crazy is sunshine

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/1/2015 5:14:00 AM

Congrats on this memorable poem being featured Andrea!

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 1/5/2013 12:12:00 AM

you are good at etheree.... love my dad... pd

Kash Poet

Date: 1/16/2011 1:16:00 PM

This really is a sad write..beautifully penned-kashinath

Wilma Neels

Date: 1/12/2011 4:35:00 AM

This is sad and at the same time it has a beauty to it Andrea... love Wilma

Daver Austin

Date: 5/7/2010 11:35:00 AM

Sad, Andrea. Your handling of Etheree is super, though. It isn't an easy form to handle if one wants to write something with real depth. Love, Dave

Lynette Chachere

Date: 2/27/2010 5:54:00 PM

wow.great poem.. hmm. i can really relate to this because my real mom is mentally ill. but she has gotten a lot better. and also i have been writing a novel that came into my dreams.really it was pretty interesting. i have only written chapter one though. and it has been a yr since i have done so. i will one day. but i need something first, not sure what it is though. im not ready. and my limericks might be a bit too silly.lol. i don't know..-Always&Forever Lynette

Carrie Richards

Date: 2/11/2010 10:19:00 AM

This heartbreaker, so revealing, yet so forgiving! Well done, Andrea....it shows your heart. ~ Carrie

John Patrick Robbins Aka Gonzo

Date: 2/11/2010 8:00:00 AM

A truley sad write because it shows truth and kudos to you for having the courage to share. this part of your life no matter the start we determine the direction great job

Jared Pickett

Date: 2/11/2010 4:48:00 AM

My father has many problems... He is a great man though... An artist, a loving father and a good mentor......:JP}

The Fringe

Date: 2/10/2010 9:20:00 PM

My father got full-blown dimensia at the end of his life. I never thought my father could have entered the state he did. I feel your sentiments. Good poem. David

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 2/10/2010 8:22:00 PM

A beautiful tribute to both parents.. its really difficult to write so emotionally and this form is really a nice one to use for this poem.. New contest What the Hex just posted if u care to enter .. I just wrote a new one for it.. Frost to Flavor.. gotta keep trying.. luv.. Linda-Marie..

John Loving Iii

Date: 2/10/2010 6:31:00 PM

no we can't choose who our parents are nor which one will go insane. but we may be mercifull in our memories and rise above adversity if we let ourselves. john

Duke Beaufort

Date: 2/10/2010 5:00:00 PM

I think he would have loved you very much if he could have held it together. Mental illness touches every family. Your poem's line "You bring to mind a sunless day..." makes me think that you can see/feel some of his pain. I am very, very saddened by this story. There is a lot of work to be done in this area and your poem with its empathy makes me think that there is hope. Thanks.

Robert A. Dufresne

Date: 2/10/2010 4:38:00 PM

Very sad and hard for everyone who is afflicted including and I think sometimes esp. for the family of the same. God bless you all.-Robert