L Milton Hankins Poet Blank verse

May He Rest In Peace

May he rest in peace, my father was not the kindest man
At least to me he wasn't--he never ever said to me
The most important words a boy will hear, "I love you, Son!"
Never did he take me upon his knee to console me
When I needed it most, when I was floundering in tears.
He called for me, after years of silence, from his death bed,
He wanted to see his eldest son, I wondered why, but
I went, sat with him, placed cups of water to his parched lips;
I rubbed his cold feet, and comforted him as best I could.
He offered no excuse for his abusive behavior
I knew he had no training in parenting, his father
Accidently died when my father was merely thirteen.


Written April 27, 2021

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Caren Krutsinger April 28, 2021 at 10:12 PM "He wanted to see his eldest son, I wondered why" I think it was the closest and best thing he could do, wanting to say "I love you" but society did not allow it for men in those days. L Milton Hankins April 29, 2021 at 8:29 AM I'll never know, Caren. A counselor told me the act of wanting me to rub his feet was redemptive and reconciling. I don't know. It was probably a bit too late, but I feel better about him as time passes. Thanks for reading and for your thoughts.

Regina Mcintosh April 28, 2021 at 7:53 AM So sad! Wow. God bless you. Love, Gina L Milton Hankins April 28, 2021 at 8:59 AM Yep, it was a sad relationship, Gina, but it taught me important lessons which I vowed not to repeat with my children...and I didn't!