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A Strong and Silent Type

Fathers of that era
did not hug or touch or
intimate their love.
He was the same

Did he love us, we his
kin, his blood-seed. He
did not say, yet I 
believe he did.

He was a provider, for
sure. A taste for beer,
never dissolute and
he smoked as most
working folk, did then.

An adept gardener, his
vegetables supplemented
our meagre rationed diet.
Did he care, he never
said, I’m sure he did.

What made him tick,
deep down, I mean
where only introspectives,
types like me will 
sometimes dig.

It is easy, so easy
to theorise. His
generation, strong
and silent, did not 
discuss such things,

especially with his son,
such things were never
done. Maybe..perhaps
with Mum. Feelings 
were not shared but

held back, within.
A reservoir of emotions
controlled, withheld
until death shatters
the dam.

Is that why I cried
so, the day he died
and still I wonder..
did I cry for me,
or was it for him

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John Watt

Date: 11/1/2020 9:47:00 PM

I resonate with what you have written, Brian. My parents came out of the depression, then WWII, and much of that suffering was suppressed. It just wasn't 'proper' to talk about feelings. I have heard this same narrative about many from that generation. My mother was much better at communicating, but my Dad was a closed book. Yes, he loved us and showed it by providing for our needs, but not by talking about life, or hopes, dreams, or disappointments. You've captured it so well ~ John

Brian Strand
Date: 11/1/2020 11:23:00 PM

Sadly so John,when I did my paternal family backstory chapbook a few years after he diied ,I discovered the possible reasons ..happily when I found Jesus I became free to be me..and becoming a poet was one gifting thereof.Thanks for supporting my contests.

Eve Roper

Date: 10/30/2020 8:03:00 PM

I wonder if parent were all like that at that time keep things and emotions to themselves. My parents were the same keep things and emotions to themselves. Treated us all like children. Thank you for sharing.

Brian Strand
Date: 10/30/2020 9:11:00 PM

Yes Eve,whilst times change for each generation such situations become full of 'if only' about things never discussed