Best Dad Poems
Below are the all-time best Dad poems written by Poets on PoetrySoup. These top poems in list format are the best examples of dad poems written by PoetrySoup members
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Dad
Poem
Halloween's Headless Horseman
One Halloween night when I was five
Rain pelted city streets, we stayed inside
Dad lit the Jack-o-lantern candle
Told us the tale of a famous vandal
One “Headless Horseman” in Sleepy Hollow
‘Twas Ichabod Crane he chose to follow
Crane ran breathlessly, was terrorized
(At this point my father’s eyes looked wild)
Thundering behind him through the forest
The hooves of a horse and a rider headless
Carrying a sword to strike Ichabod
(Dad grabbed a spatula, swung it like a rod)
Not just we children but our mother too
Gasped at the thought of Ichabod pursued
High winds cut off our electrical power
As in our kitchen three children cowered
Orange light from the pumpkin’s evil eyes
Showed Dad seemed to have dematerialized
The youngest, I felt something run through my hair
I screamed aloud in horror and despair
The lit pumpkin fell from table to floor
Darkness as I ran through the kitchen door
Leaping into bed, pulling up the sheets
Dad snuck into my room, whispered, “Trick or treat”
So if you think I am a drama queen
Please realize that it’s all in my genes
*For Russell's contest. By Carolyn Devonshire. (My Dad was quite the storyteller!)
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Dad
Poem
Soldier
I saw a burial with a bugler playing taps;
I turned to my father, “what happened?” I asked.
He clutched my hand and with a quiver in his voice,
he began to explain and his eyes became moist.
“My son,” he said, “this is rather difficult for me;
for an old veteran like myself this is tough to see.
In that coffin lies a genuine patriotic warrior,
an honest-to-God hero, an American soldier.
I appreciate that soldier and the service he gave,
and I honor his sacrifice as he’s laid in his grave.
He was honorable, selfless, courageous, and bold;
please remember him son, as you grow old.
The value of his service, I must explain,
if not remembered, will be lost in vain.
As a nation we’re nothing without soldiers like him;
and failing to remember would be a terrible sin.”
I listened in awe as my father spoke,
it seemed as if his heart were broke.
I suddenly remembered when he went to war,
and when he returned I thought nothing more.
I never asked why he walked with a limp,
and I didn’t care about why he was sick.
I was too busy enjoying the life that I had,
to realize that I had it because of dad.
I finally understood what my dad was about,
and it hurt so bad I cried out loud.
He sacrificed so much so I could be free,
and his battle scars were suffered for me.
It was my father’s spirit that spoke to me that day;
thank God I finally understood what he had to say.
I saluted his coffin as they laid him to rest,
and I thought about the medals pinned on his chest.
That I didn’t honor him sooner, I will always regret;
and I pledged that day to never again forget.
I’m proud that my dad was a patriotic warrior;
I’m honored to be the son of an American soldier.
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Dad
Poem
Riding Horses with Dad
Following the swish of a brown mare's tail
Up through the boulders and sage
A slow ride over a rocky trail
I'm a young girl, of blossoming age
Sitting astride a strawberry roan
My Dad rides ahead in the haze
Winding the hills, many miles from our home
We halt so the horses can graze
The clouds pass over like ships set sail
Casting shadows on valleys below
The sky has turned a rose colored pale
Our pace resumes, quiet and slow
No words are spoken, they have all been said
Just a whisper is made, and a wisp of chill
As the breeze brushes grass, and the sky turns red
With the sun going down, it is peaceful and still
My Dad goes ahead, and has taken the lead
I try to follow, but my vision is blurred
We continue our climb to the forest timber
Are those voices of angels, I hear?
Up he goes on the trail, on his faithful steed
My dream, fading into the clouds..
He is smiling, my Dad,.. on his sorrel brown
.......And I stay behind to remember
_________________________________________________
6/19/09
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Dad
Poem
My Favorite Devonshire
Ten seconds after I posted my first poem on Poetry Soup, Carolyn's comment was there! Her support and encouragement has been always present in my humble poetry. Yes, I know what you're thinking... blame it on her! : ) She's not only a warm friend but also a talented poetess. This lovely-gifted Lady writes through her heart; and she does it brilliantly. Caring, friendly, loving, intelligent, creative...her style, her humor, her kindness...Carolyn Devonshire is unique in many ways. Have I said that I love her? This is my modest tribute to her...
The poem I've chosen to celebrate Carolyn's poetry is "Too Fast for Me;" it's in her first book: Vision of Devonshire. Every time I read it, an intense emotion makes my eyes shine... Oops! Look at my eyes right now! When I remember my father, Carolyn's words arise immediately in my mind because the time I shared with him "has been too short for me."
"Too Fast for Me"
For every step my father took
my child's legs took three
"Daddy, please," I called to him
"You walk too fast for me."
My sister took a husband
my brother went to sea
my father sighed, "Our family time
has been too short for me."
Then when my teen years ended
and college lay before me
Dad shook his head in sadness
"It's all too fast for me."
When Mama died, we reminisced
their forty-seven years,
the passing time, the life they shared
was captured in our tears.
And when computers came of age
Dad watched me surf the net
"I'd like to learn," he said to me,
"but I'm not ready yet."
As Dad lay dying carrying years
that numbered ninety-three
I could not help but say aloud
"They went too fast for me."
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Dad
Poem
The Mirror Of Time
I hold three magic rocks, in my hand. Rolling them over and over and over. Leaving this
reality behind, far behind I stepped into the magic mirror and there I was back in 1959. It
was the same month, November. I looked around and it was the same as I remember it had
been then. Mom looked so young and beautiful and said, "The school bus will be here in a
few minutes." I looked at the calendar and saw that it was November 25th, the day before
Thanksgiving. I said, "But mom, I haven't been in school in forty years." I got this strange
look from her but she didn't say anything. Walking toward the door I caught a reflection of
myself in the hall mirror. I was so young. My hand immediately went to my face and I
stopped and stared at myself for a few minutes. I said, "Mom, can I stay home and be with
you today?" Again I got that strange look from her, then she smiled and said, "Sure, it's
your last day before Thanksgiving anyway, why not?" She and I sit down and talked for
hours. Then I said, "Do you mind if we go next door and visit with Maw Maw and Paw Paw?
I haven't seen them in so long and I've missed them terribly!" Again another strange look
from mom. Next door I saw Maw Maw and Paw Paw as they had been in 1959. I wept and
they all looked at me so strangely. I hugged them and kissed them all and we talked for
hours. Dad finally came home from work and I ran and hugged him so hard. "Dad why did
you have to leave us in June?" Again I got strange looks from everyone. My tears were
falling. I saw Aunt Frances and Uncle Bill who lived beside Maw Maw and Paw Paw. "I've
missed you both for so long." Strange looks again! They didn't understand because to them,
it was just another day in 1959. The day grew late and I knew my time was soon ending. I
got near the magic mirror and mom and dad were standing there so young and healthy. I
said, "Mom I'll see you on the other side of the mirror, but dad, I'll see you another time,
another place." They didn't understand. I stepped back through and my reflection was as it
had been before. Mom was sitting in her chair at age 84. I said, "Mom, do you remember
the day before Thanksgiving, 1959, when I stayed home from school and we spent the day
together?" She said, "Yes, it was so strange that you could never remember anything about
it. It was as though you had amnesia.
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Dad
Poem
12,045 Days ......(and counting)
My affirmation deceitfully severed
forever robbed by selfishness
Left to tackle life alone
Tumbling in the wake of my dad's mess
He left when I was three
The crevasse has increased for 33 years
Traded his life with us
For another woman and a couple of beers
He wasn't there to pick me up
When I fell off of my bike
To teach me how to fish
Or enjoy a nature hike
Now I'm a father to my son
Hoping not to make the same mistake
Living day to day on this lake of life
My son in tow through my own wake
It's been nine years and we're going strong
Six more years with my son
That's more with him than I had with mine
My son I guard in a web I've spun
A web of love, discipline, and nurture
Full of "I love you's" and "see ya in the morning"
A kiss before school and one before bed
Lots of playing, talking, reading, and singing
My son doesn't know the pain I feel
To not know my dad in intimate ways
No hands to comfort me or words to heal
No dad in sight for 12,045 days.............................(and counting)
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My son and I have a great relationship and for this I am thankful......
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Dad
Poem
Today Tomorrow Forever
This day has come
The day I've dreaded
Dad I wish I could be
in your arms once again,
But I can only sit here
and think of you instead,
I think of all memories
we've once shared
I remember all your laughter
your love and your care,
when I needed someone you
were always there,
But know my life is full of
Emptiness and despair
Oh dear Dad you've been
gone almost a year
Still this pain is so severe
My heart is drowning in all
these tears
Consumed with all these
Rage and Fears,
wishing this was all
a horrid nightmare,
Your truly gone this I know,
I just want to tell you that
I still love you so, and I'll
hold on to your memories
I'll never let go,
For you were my Hero
You were my Dad,
you were one of my best friends
That a daughter could of ever
had,
Now I know you're up there
and watching over me
with your beautiful spirit
soaring so free,
I can feel your presence
always surrounding me
I just want you to remember
Dad
That you'll always be
Today, Tomorrow, Forever
A Cherished part of
ME.....
I STILL LOVE YOU DAD....HAPPY FATHERS DAY
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Dad
Poem
Dad's Typewriter
After my father died, I moved to his old house
Donated many large items to charities
As each item was removed, tears streamed down my blouse
But some were not wanted; what would become of these?
Set up a table in the yard; sign said, “Free Stuff”
The old Underwood typewriter wasn’t set out
Parting with memories it evoked was just too rough
It symbolized Dad’s life, without any doubt
The late night hours a CPA spent at his desk
With my cat curled up next to him, evoking grins
As Dad typed away, little Prince looked statuesque
I learned to type on what is now a “has been”
This manual contraption replaced by high tech
Represented a man who worked to provide
Freely offering love, but stretching each pay check
To give us a better life, Dad’s efforts applied
The hours work took away from his family
I used to resent, but I understand more now
A sacrifice he made for my siblings and me
The thought of parting with it I couldn’t allow
The typewriter remains on Dad’s desk in the den
As a reminder of how hard he worked to please
Sometimes I still peck at the letters now and then
When I’m missing Dad most, somehow it brings me peace
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Dad
Poem
Eldon's Way with Words
My step dad, Eldon, long since passed away,
was known for some expressions he would say.
like when he was in traffic and in back
of some bad drivers. Then he’d call them “ Jack.”
Sarcastically, to make us laugh, he’d spout:
“I don’t have all day, Jack; just back it out!”
Of course, those “Jacks” would never hear him say
those snide remarks. We girls laughed anyway.
Those few rare times my sisters and I get
together with our husbands, we all get
silly. And one spouse, (in Eldon’s way),
will mimic those remarks our dad would say.
My youngest sister has a husband, Kyle,
and his impersonations make us smile.
His “Eldon” style and tone are really keen,
especially when he says real slow. . . “Now, Jean.”
“Now, Jean” was Eldon’s catch-phrase for our mom
when trying to console her. It caught on!
When I’m a bit upset, my husband might
say to me “Now Jean” to keep it light.
It’s pretty cool to think when you’ve passed on,
your funny phrases aren’t completely gone.
I hope my dad is looking down to see
amusing words stayed in our memory!
For Francine Robert's "My Parent" contest
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Dad
Poem
My Father
I miss you dad every single day
The wonderful Times I remember
Are the times we spent together going
To dinner and church
The times I will cherish always on this earth
Your gentle ways and smiles and hugs
Made Life worthwhile for this is true
Forever you are missed in my heart and soul
But the forever is Heaven and you are there basking
In the Light of the Lord
I miss you dad and loved you so much
But eternity is yours to no longer hurt
Cancer is what took you far too soon
I am always remembering your hugs and
I loved you so much too.
Eternity is there for you now and forever
Remember I love you and Kisses from here
to you in the forever they call Heaven from earth
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