Hope-And a Father Is Could Be
Hope and…a father is could be
Against all odds and expectations
so many rules and norms and
clever theories society’s demands
cultures and conventions there is
no magic wand no miracle solution
I throw you high up in the air
and catch the giggled strength
and heartfelt laughter companionship
rising high in motion slow and fast emotion
reflected suspense of moments passing by until
my hands and shelter embrace you
when again I have to let you go
to fly from our roots confirming journey
We swim the ocean brace the waves
contend the currents
time the tides and titillating surf
taste the water salt and progress
from distant shore to open seas
with the calculated risk
to need a boat for all the necessary
safety and return
At times I wish to push the river
hold it halt you be your life raft
when the river flows itself and you
need to dip in different waters
have to struggle on your own
until there is another river
never yet the same for now and then
From the tree of life we swing from
vital vigour bark and leafy pleasures
pull the pulley push a plank
balance from even higher branches
or build a ladder to the tree house
where the fantasies are swelling
into pictures and experience
in your sense-world and your mind
We read and listen and explore
skip the home-work find
our own words full of mystery
imagination entertain a fairy tale
away from grim prescription
scribe our story as it should
write our own create and play
on the fields of fancy poetry
and comprehension meaning
We sign the goal posts where you
my sons and daughters wrestle
kick their shins scratched knees
and footballs score for team and
individual satisfaction
test the limitations and discover
the rules they wish to follow
and the ones they wish to stretch
Clothed in mud and perspiration
we turn around walk back to our abode
meshing webbing sense perception
movement understanding
eat ice cream with gravy
roast potatoes topped with
chocolate puffs and gummy bears
We make our time a market place
decide what goods are good
resist temptation and indulge
forget remember and forgive not just
the temper tantrums at the check out
mine and yours that is
recast and sculpture what matters most
We organize the shelves not
always in the senseless order
put soap with meatballs in the freezer
and flower seeds with books
where they belong when we escalate
and stop in time for reason
You push me round the shops in trolleys
run up descending escalators
practice for the topsy-turvy demarcation
that adult being holds in store
too much too far too early and
resist the fallacy that only one way
leads to where the happiness is found
Life will not always be the pleasant circus
where clown and jester mocks
the foolish wisdom clarifies the
laughing sadness bruising hurts
where bigger picture parades in
masquerade of tidy tiny universal
sanity and madness preventing
what love and kindness
would suggest to be the better option
I may be somewhat helpless
when your hearts are broken
so labelled real reality sets in
when friends betray you
toxic poisonous encounters
lie in waiting
When fate surprises curve balls
broken branches riptides swings
cul-de-sacs and roundabouts loom
and call for your resilience for
the application of what you’ve got
For not a day though I would have missed
your childhood when most likely
you taught me more than I could give
The time will come when I will need
and wish for more support and guidance
when you can be the fool wise man and
guiding daughter when my trolley is
the wheel chair in the wheel of life
and I am truly of that trolley
When ageing sight drifts and falters
where bones might crumble
mind could vanish and regress
Time for your foresight hindsight vision
and the dreams and aspirations of
your children’s father mother
guider and protector never
loosing sight of childhood
and hopefully incorporating
the imperfect wishful father
good enough at times I try to be
Copyright © Kai Michael Neumann | Year Posted 2016
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