Father

In the darkening room I stood:
tears welling in my eyes:
by the windowed-wall, looking out,
my small chest full of sighs.

Headlights bright white and tail lights red,
paired, meandered down the street,
yet the white headlights that I sought
seemed only to retreat.

Cold, calm, singular, tear drops fell,
soon reaching down turned lips;
as in the house across the street,
the living room was lit.

A Father held his baby high. 
He hugged that toddler tight.
I wiped the corner of my eye,
and gazed into the night.

Above the darkened woodland near,
beneath a cobalt sky;
the highway brought their Fathers home.
alone again stood I.

Horns blared out in drives near by
sweet laughter filled the air,
and, in the drive across the street,
their Fathers did appear.

The children ran out slamming doors,
on small unshodden feet,
with tiny squeals, and upturned cheeks,
their Father they did greet.

Where was the father who I sought
our lives incomplete
a traveling man, my Father
did nothing but retreat.


*A memory from when I was 8.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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12
A  Avatar
October 1, 2013 at 8:15 PM
well done............. LUV.............. SKAT
Gasun Avatar
September 30, 2013 at 8:53 AM
This is a very touching, very beautiful and excellent write about great childhood mem'ries with great dad/s my dear friend Deb. Loving this so much.To my fave. Thank you so much for sharing! My big hearty congratulations on your super win! love lots & big hugs, Leonora
Michelle Avatar
September 29, 2013 at 8:08 PM
You deserved this win. I loved your poem, thank you for sharing this with me. Congratulations, Juli-Michelle
Adams Avatar
September 29, 2013 at 7:42 PM
what a poignant, yet equally beautiful poem you have crafted....congrats on your win :)
Edwards Avatar
March 13, 2012 at 7:46 AM
Aww Debbie, This could quite easily be my childhood your writing about..such sadness, your right about the sad jag.. we seem to be in.. xxx Hugs
Dietrich Avatar
February 6, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Deb, of the three of yours I've seen so far, this is MY favorite. I had seen this one before and commented on how well I liked it! Joe calling me. LUv, Andrea
Brown Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 4:26 AM
Congratulations on your win Debbie in the contest "My Darkest Childhood Memory"sponsored by Walayee (Lay). Love, Carol
Mannan Avatar
January 23, 2011 at 7:55 PM
So sad and beautifully penned. You seem to have described my feeling for my grandad. many congratulations for this win.
Onclaud Avatar
January 23, 2011 at 7:05 AM
most beautifully scribed; my kind of poetry indeed… one big THUMBS UP to you, deb lights :) hugggs, nette
Calhoun Avatar
January 23, 2011 at 5:53 AM
Hi Deborah - This is so painfully sad yet, beautifully penned. Congratulations on your WIN in Walayee's contest. Best wishes, KC
Mehta Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 3:25 PM
Congratulations on the well deserved win in the contest, deb
Kendrick Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 1:40 PM
Congratulations on your win..Sara
Sweetheart Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Congrats on your wonderful success in Lay's contest with this excellent entry Debbie... enjoy with luv..
Devonshire Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Another win for this fine poem, Deb. Congratulations! Love, Carolyn
Haick Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 12:31 PM
This is really sad and heartbreaking, Deb..so many burdens for little children to carry..sometimes it overwhelms..Congratulations on your fine win in the contest! Love, Annalise
Whitlock-Ishway Avatar
January 22, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Congrats honey! Lay
Dietrich Avatar
March 1, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Gosh. Deb, this one I somehow missed. It's very good and a BIG congrats to you! LUv, Andrea
Witt-King Avatar
February 27, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Beautifully written, Deborah. So poignant. I certainly relate to the sorrow that you've described here. Congratulations dear one.
Brown Avatar
February 26, 2010 at 7:09 AM
Congratulations on your win in Starflixer's Betrayal contest Deb. Love, Carol
Foster Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 5:47 PM
Congratulations on your success with this heartfelt poem....Margaret
Haick Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 12:38 PM
My congratulations on your win in the "Betrayal" Contest! Peace, Audrey
Richards Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 12:21 PM
I had missed this poem earlier....I am so glad the winner's list led me here, Deborah. Wow....this is filled with such a well of emotion, .......how many other children have seen or felt this left behind, tear-stained, story? This one has moved me deeply. Your words should be read by every parent. Excellent poetry. ~ Hugs..Carrie
Sweetheart Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Congrats Debbie on your winning poem in the Betrayal contest.. a wonderful write and a wonderful win for a wonderful poetess.. luv.. Linda-Marie.. "Sweetheart" of P.S.
Devonshire Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Congratulations on your win! Enjoy your success. Best Wishes, Carolyn
Lopez Avatar
March 24, 2009 at 2:59 PM
This is a powerful write as well...this is what i battle with cause i didn't have this experience as a child but I'm experiencing it as a father which causes me to deal with with a flood of emotions at every new experince. I start to understand how important these things are to him and then realize I never had them myself. Then I feel anger.sadness,bitterness,then another round of forgiveness I must give my dad. (for my sake) and then I smile at my son and am thankful that I'm there for him.....
12
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