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A Visit With My Dad

On hands and knees brown leaves were brushed away
My fingers traced his name engraved in stone
The birds remind me how the years have flown
As tears of shame and guilt fell where he lay

My mind looked in my heart for words to say
"You are the wisest man I've ever known
Before your death our conflicts were atoned
But void inside my heart has not decayed

I taught my children values which we shared
And looked after my mother like you asked
The pain I caused you still makes me feel sad
I just want you to know that I still care

My love for you still lives though you have passed
If you can hear me now, I miss you dad."



  an original poem by Daniel Turner

Copyright © Daniel Turner | Year Posted 2016

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Sharon Gulley Date: 9/7/2016 9:30:00 AM Made me cry, but love it so. : ) I miss my Dad too. Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 9/8/2016 11:38:00 AM Thank you, Sharon. It made me cry too! I sure caused him a lot of grief.

Lynn Marie Date: 8/20/2016 10:20:00 AM A loving tribute, beautifully penned from the heart. The emotions conveyed are so real and gentle, I find myself quite moved. That this is also an Italian Sonnet, is a remarkable skill for the sentiments flowed eloquently and with amazing grace. A wonderful poem, lovely to read...7+ blessings, lynn Login to Reply

Sandra Haight Date: 7/30/2016 8:33:00 PM Forgot to enter the 7...here it is! Login to Reply

Sandra Haight Date: 7/30/2016 8:32:00 PM Such a beautifully composed Sonnet, Daniel, with perfect rhyme and meter, and with emotional feelings that come from your heart as a loving tribute to your dad, and with which so many others can relate to. 7 Sandra Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/31/2016 10:56:00 AM Thank you Mrs Sandra. I guess one would call it occupational therapy. I certainly like it when you drop by to visit.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 7/29/2016 9:27:00 PM Daniel , a lot of sonnet writers fail to capture all that a good sonnet entails. You got the ones that are the top three for me: GREAT form of rhyme AND meter/ lucidity/ and wonderful message!! Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/29/2016 9:50:00 PM Thank you Andrea. I guess you can pat yourself on the back. Lin Lane taught me most of what I know but you helped to fine tune the process.I really appreciate your flattering comments and your friendly visits.

CayCay Jennings Date: 7/27/2016 8:37:00 AM I can, do relate to this, deep down, lost-my-Dad-too relate. Tracing his tombstone as though it were his cheek, feeling and talking as though he is aware and maybe they are, Daniel. Accepting the holes that only HE could fill and that we never effectively pursued that relief. The power of parents' impact on their off springs' emotions is, I believe, infinite and ongoing. This poem is lovely and touching. CayCay Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/27/2016 10:59:00 AM I find it easier to forgive others than forgiving myself. This write was therapeutic. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement, CayCay.

Charlie Smith Date: 7/26/2016 8:36:00 PM An emotionally brave write Daniel, well done. Thanks for sharing. Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/26/2016 8:59:00 PM Thank you Charlie. Just doing a little house cleaning. I appreciate your support my friend.

Casarah Nance Date: 7/26/2016 5:53:00 PM hugs... very heartbreaking, but it is good to know you have past on the wisdom and caring x Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/26/2016 6:01:00 PM Thank you Casarah. It's been over 20 years and I'm still dealing with the guilt and shame. I appreciate your support and encouraging comments.

Jean Murray Date: 7/26/2016 5:49:00 PM This is so sweet Daniel. My own father never saw his father from the age of eight. Many years later, he had a gravestone placed at his unmarked grave. Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/26/2016 5:59:00 PM Damn skip! Thank you Jean. My dad and I luckily got a chance to make peace right before he died. I have lived with guilt and shame ever since he passed. I treated him pretty bad and he beat the hell out of me. I appreciate your support. Daniel Turner Date: 7/26/2016 5:53:00 PM Thank you for dropping by Bob. I like reading your poems, they usually take me back to my youth. Take care my friend.

Tim Smith Date: 7/26/2016 2:24:00 PM I love the Italian Sonnet DT and you did it justice... lovely sentiments to your Dad Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/26/2016 2:29:00 PM Thank you Tim. I really appreciate your continued support. You are always so encouraging and your visits make me smile.

Tom Quigley Date: 7/26/2016 1:27:00 PM Beautifully written and heartfelt! All in meter, too! Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/26/2016 1:38:00 PM Thank you Tom. I have decided to really work hard on my sonnet writing. I appreciate your support and am glad you approve.

Jan Allison Date: 7/26/2016 10:41:00 AM Such an honest personal write Daniel - maybe in time I will grieve for my father but the pain he caused me is still to real and the wounds are very very deep:-( hugs jan xx7 Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/26/2016 10:47:00 AM I understand. My dad and I had a very tumultuous relationship but I still respect and love him. We were both stubborn and had very bad tempers. Thank you for your support, Jan. I've struggled with forgiveness for years.

Kelli White Date: 7/26/2016 10:27:00 AM Well done DT Login to Reply Daniel Turner Date: 7/26/2016 10:44:00 AM Thank you Kelli. I appreciate your support.