Notes About The Poem

For my father 1948-2017

Father

A tradesman’s son and temple secrets die
in sixty nine years, never knowing why.

Contempt delivered their first child perfect,
your childhood gauntlet galvanized neglect.

A mother’s son and her abuse still lie
in sixty nine years, never knowing why.

Too something when her final moments came.
Without confession laid to rest the same.
So was it from the bosom or the flame
the day you heard her call your name?

Consistent honor you bestowed on them,
corollas shredded by thorns on the stem.

Forgiveness took away the rage and strife.
I saw in you, The Way, The Truth, The Life.

With mind and humor, your genetic gifts.
Denatured strands surrendered protein fifths.

All needs provider who was always there.
Divine command parental judgement fair.

Devout corrections laid by word or hand
within a dying culture’s screams withstand.

Alone in Scripture’s cords you did demand 
of God’s own virtue, I was taught to stand.

Around your house, collect and to revive
those things of a past that keep you alive.

In every dream that keeps you coming back,
contorts the dawn and colors out from black.

For just a moment, it’s time they defy,
recasts the morning of our last goodbye.

To take a final look and to work through
regrets till each tear welcomes a thank you

When given no tomorrow to be sown,
has sin become the marrow of the bone?
Eternal light now nothing left unknown,
divergent gateways from the triune throne.

The flesh, the bone, to bits, to grit, to ash.
The fires refine the gold and purge the trash.

A common trust in blood for us he died,
to keep our spirits, Hell to be denied.

Forgotten wages slowly turn a knife,
see you again, The Way, The Truth, The Life.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Anaya Avatar
June 21, 2026 at 9:10 PM
A spiritual commemorative truth, dear poet. Sincerely taken, on this day being Fathers day, here or in spirit, we remember them. Congratulations on your win! Blessings
Carmack Avatar
July 1, 2026 at 7:05 AM
TY Anaya
Dietrich Avatar
June 20, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Congrats on a great placement for this sincere and wonderful tribute to your dad. Looks like he almost made it to she 70. I made that milestone just last year.
Carmack Avatar
July 1, 2026 at 7:05 AM
TY Andrea, yes, he was 69. Still thanking God for such a good father.
One Avatar
June 20, 2026 at 2:01 PM
You were fortunate to have a good father and get to spend some quality time with him... Well done for the iambic pentameter.. congratulations on your first place in the contest..
Carmack Avatar
June 20, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Indeed S1, I was blessed to have had the father I had. I still thank God for him and the time I had with him. Thank you S1 for hosting the contest and for the placement any your comment.
Gauthier Avatar
July 28, 2019 at 8:27 AM
Congrats on your win, Rob. Well penned.
Lamoureux Avatar
June 30, 2019 at 4:27 PM
Blessings to you as well Rob.
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 3:06 PM
Exquisite Rob! This impressive piece is going into my Faves. You have out done yourself with this masterpiece! Congratulations on your worthy win! : ) xxoo
Carmack Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 7:00 PM
TY Connie. I was blessed with a good father and to have had so much time with him. God Bless you.
Lamoureux Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 9:03 AM
This is really good Rob. I’m glad to see your name on the winners list. There was a lot of really good poems that didn’t make it to the top ten.
Carmack Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 6:59 PM
Thank you very much Richard. God bless you.
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