Andrea Dietrich Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

This is about my father-in-law, who has lived quite the life. He even invented some Christmas lights that came out in the 60s with a certain kind of flashing.  He loves tinkering in his little garage doing stained glass projects and other things. It is so incredible to me how he clings to life with so many horrible health issues!!

___________________________________________________________________________

Gordon

He said  last night in bed with fear he lay,
believing he might die. How sick he was!
He used to be so fearless and would say
he had the right in his grandfather’s clause
to bypass death!  Despite his many woes
(his problems with bad kidneys, lungs and heart),
with back hunched over, on and on he goes . . .
If he were on a stage, he’d play the part
of jester, for he jokes how he feels great!
This man - whose eighty-seven years of life
once granted him success in a past state -
has worked so hard and loved his now-dead wife.
We did not hear him laugh the other day.
He said last night in bed with fear he lay.


May 8, 2022
for Emile Pinet's Orphan Sonnet Poetry Contest

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

John Watt May 31, 2022 at 3:44 PM I always enjoy your craftsmanship, my sonneteer friend; the enjambments, meter, and rhymes all add to this touching tributes to your FIL's quiet endurance of suffering. I loved the grandfather clause line! Congrats on your win with Emile ~ John

Sara Kendrick May 30, 2022 at 4:30 PM Enjoyed reading your creative lines. Way to go for the contest. Congrats on this great winner. Sara

Terry Miller May 30, 2022 at 2:40 PM Congratulations on a very well-deserved high placement in this contest.

Jenna Logan May 30, 2022 at 12:24 PM Well written for a place on the winning list, Andrea.

Connie Marcum Wong May 30, 2022 at 11:24 AM Congratulations on your win in Emile’s contest Andrea. I really like Dale’s form. Your poem was very moving. Blessings xxoo

Emile Pinet May 30, 2022 at 10:34 AM Congratulations Andrea! Your touching poem "Gordon" earned a distinguished place in my “Orphan Sonnet Poetry Contest.” Very well done, my friend, Emile.

Connie Marcum Wong May 28, 2022 at 9:55 PM He sounds as though he is clinging to his once rich life wanting to turn the clock back. Wish that were possible for him. You have expressed well his feelings Andrea. I hope he one day has a peaceful transition. Blessings xxoo Andrea Dietrich May 29, 2022 at 10:45 AM We believe he is keeping himself alive to support the disabled foster daughter, you know the one I mean. she is really draining on everybody and she dislikes me and Joe, but she refuses to even drive her poor dad a few blocks to the store, and she's perfectly capable of it. he is enabling her to depend on him but when he dies, she will have to learn to cope, or she will end up in a home.

Charles Reese May 26, 2022 at 9:21 AM A wonderful sonnet of this style so very full of imagery. The story though seems quite sad. It's a shame he did not know peace at the end. Andrea Dietrich May 26, 2022 at 1:14 PM He is still alive!

Harry Horsman May 17, 2022 at 8:19 PM The poem exquisite, A wonderful tribute to Gordon, so sad his ailments, Those i can relate too.

Anil Deo May 12, 2022 at 2:21 AM Guess, if u like the sin, his father is wonderful too. What a bio. What graceful memories U are bestowing in poetry. Thank U, Andrea

Bill Baker May 10, 2022 at 2:38 PM Sad to hear of his health issues, but it sounds like he's had a good and active life. Thanks for sharing a poem about him, with us. Thanks for writing another sonnet, I do love sonnets. :-) Bill

Judy Ball May 9, 2022 at 9:01 PM WoW Andrea. He sounds like quite the man as we say here in Canada. I'll say a prayer for him and for you too. Hope you are doing okay. I think of you often. God Bless, JB

Michael Tor May 9, 2022 at 4:06 PM My prayers going out to Gordon.

Victor Buhagiar May 8, 2022 at 11:10 PM You cannot by pass death. I know mine is not far away. Hugs, Michael Tor May 9, 2022 at 4:08 PM Victor I will be praying for you my friend. Dont give up and trust in our Lord he can cure you turn to him and ask for help. He loves you... God bless you Victor...

Joe Maverick May 8, 2022 at 10:55 PM Wow Andrea, my best wishes to your Joe and Gordon..' I feel for him may he be blessed in Knowing Jesus as his brother before he Leaves this tired world..' God bless you all There.'

Alexis Y. May 8, 2022 at 5:02 PM Hi Andrea, I echo what my fellow said. You have a good tribute piece to your father-in-law. Happy Mother's Day, my friend;-) Alexis

L Milton Hankins May 8, 2022 at 3:49 PM The love and respect you have for your father-in-law really shines through, Andrea. Wonderful poem.

Ilene Bauer May 8, 2022 at 12:37 PM a beautifully written tribute to your father-in-law, andrea! i wish him all the best and hope you got to share this poem with him...

Rico Leffanta May 8, 2022 at 11:49 AM My daughter's father-in-law wants to live forever, but yours is probably afraid of becoming Methuselah! Good poem, though! Aloha!

Tom Cunningham May 8, 2022 at 10:27 AM A lovely tribute to your father in law Andrea, he sounds an amazing man. Tom