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- a Gloomy Image -

"A photograph (1949) - my father's story, a gloomy image"

A young man, who already has a heavy luggage
The backpack he has been carrying since birth
                   a gloomy image ...
The struggle to be present in life
He pushes his hair away from his eyes
where he walks in an unknown city

Everyone knows it's pretty tough to be young
It's about growing up ... fast
Dare to go out into the world,
naked and vulnerable - 
                     a gloomy image ...
He had to help his mother, stepfather
and half siblings - a financial support

Wish I could read his thoughts
Dig a little deeper into the human mind
The meaning behind your pain
Humiliation and never accepted
This is not a sunshine story
                      a gloomy image ...
Although the photograph is yellowed and faded
His thoughts means an irreplaceable role for some
 






12.09.2019
Sun :) - A-L Andresen :)
Copyright © All Rights Reserved


Writing Challenge 2, September 2019 - The Photograph
Sponsor, Dear Heart - Wiishkobi Ode
3rd place in the contest

Copyright © Anne-Lise Andresen | Year Posted 2019

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Constance La France Date: 10/3/2019 5:42:00 PM Anne-Lise congratulations on your win in my challenge with this wonderful write! Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 10/4/2019 3:47:00 AM - A pleasure to attend ... many thanks, D.H. :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Judy Ball Date: 9/15/2019 9:10:00 AM My dad was quiet too. He never talked about his life growing up or the hardships he faced going through two wars. Sometimes he just sat and stared into space with a troubled look on his face. All we can do is let them know we love them and how proud we are to be their daughters. Great job. Good luck in the contest.\This reads like a winner to me. God Bless, JB Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 10/4/2019 3:46:00 AM - The older generation is silent about their sad background, Judy - Many thanks for visiting and lovely comment :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Bobby May Date: 9/13/2019 12:34:00 PM All fathers have a story you have told his story through thoughts and memories, what a great tribute from a daughter! He is a lucky man to have a daughter with such love for him contest or not, you are a winner! Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 10/4/2019 3:43:00 AM - Yes, we all have a story, Bobby ... and we all have a childhood ... some happy others sad - Many thanks for visiting and lovely comment - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Joseph May Date: 9/13/2019 9:25:00 AM Sometimes a photograph tells an emotion filled story...Best wishes in the Contest.. Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/13/2019 9:42:00 AM - His story will never be forgotten ... but it is old now ... and cannot be changed - Thank you, Joseph :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Vijay Pandit Date: 9/13/2019 8:08:00 AM So very heartfelt and touching, Anne-Lise. A tribute to your father you wrote...I feel your emotions..wishing you knew more and help somehow. All the best. Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/13/2019 9:38:00 AM - My dad turns 86 next year ... most of his family are dead now ... he's sick and old ... alone in a nursing home ... I visit him every week :) - Thank you, Vijay :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Kim Rodrigues Date: 9/12/2019 8:57:00 PM Photographs tell a part of the story. Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/13/2019 3:10:00 AM - The other part ... is his own thoughts and feelings - Thank you, Kim :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Vladislav Raven Date: 9/12/2019 8:02:00 PM Hi Anne-Lise, your words paint the image Anne-Lise. Excellent poetry does not need pictures, it needs but emotion and you have shared your emotions with us. Sometimes we do wonder about our parents lives. It seems, your father had a hard life, you find that most people who have don't tell all. This reads like a winner my friend. Emotions always sing. Have a wonderful Friday. hugs....Mike. XX Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/13/2019 3:07:00 AM - When one knows the story ... there is a lot that need not be said ... a bad childhood ... an unloved child ... an alcoholic stepfather ... half siblings who do as their father says ... a mother who crying ... the oldest "child" has a lot on his shoulders .... but his inner thoughts, nobody knows, Mike - Thank you :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Ilene Bauer Date: 9/12/2019 3:54:00 PM well done, anne-lise! i guess we can never really know the story behind some photographs but i like the way you've expressed your thoughts about your father here... Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/13/2019 2:57:00 AM - I know the story well, Ilene ... but his thoughts no one knows - Thank you :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Sandra Adams Date: 9/12/2019 11:54:00 AM what a touching story...your father glows beautifully through your words...i haven't attempted this contest yet but your poem shines through your pen. :) hugs Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/12/2019 12:13:00 PM - My sister and I are writing a book about our family ... the poem was already written ... thank you, Sandra :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Chris Green Date: 9/12/2019 11:37:00 AM Very telling and touching my friend. It would be nice if we could see into the minds of our parents and really understand how they saw the struggles they faced. beautifully done. Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/12/2019 12:17:00 PM - Theme is very vulnerable to my father, he did everything for his family ... but, was never accepted - Thank you, Chris :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 9/12/2019 11:32:00 AM Hi Anne-Lise, Your Dad seemed to have had a hard life but loved you all so much - he sacrificed a great deal to help you all - a wonderful tribute to him my friend. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/12/2019 11:55:00 AM - Dear Jenny ... I was not born in 1954 - My father was young ... His stepfather was an alcoholic ... my father had to raise money for his mother and siblings ... (and drink money for his stepfather, unfortunately - ... My dad hates alcohol ... he stayed sober throughout his life - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Tom Cunningham Date: 9/12/2019 10:36:00 AM Well written Anne, you.didn't need to attach the photo., your words gave us the image. Good luck. Tom Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/12/2019 11:59:00 AM - I've tried to post this picture ... without success .... but, the story is true Tom :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Sunlite Wanter Date: 9/12/2019 10:12:00 AM Sweet tribute, Sunshine. My father, too, had a tough time. He was one of ten children, sold papers on the street when he was six to give to his family. Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/12/2019 12:09:00 PM - Everyone had to make some money at a young age at that time .... but, my father's stepfather drank up the money ... a long and sad story, Sunlite - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Regina Mcintosh Date: 9/12/2019 8:40:00 AM Very thought provoking. A young, and tough man - sounds like you knew his story well. Painted a photo with words. Blessings to you. Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/12/2019 12:04:00 PM - Yes, I know his story well Regina ... my sister and I are writing a book about our family ... an exciting project ... with both tears and smiles :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)