My Dad

It may not always seem like it, but I really love my Dad.
At any rate, I was kind of stuck with him, he was the only one I had.

He and I went through some pretty tough times, when my mother screwed around.
We travelled together all over the world, and when we were Canada bound.

He let me smoke cigarettes, he let me drink beer.  He made me a rye and coke.
He wonders why Im an alcoholic, he wonders why I smoke.

When we got home he was often alone, he lived by himself in T.O.
Whenever he;d ask for me to come down, I,d jump on the bus and I,d go.

But now that I,m older and I need his shoulder, he seems to think I am to blame.
I was hurt at work, because of some jerk, since then I,ve had crippleing pain.

He,ll die one day, of this I,m sure, I don,t know if I,ll cry.
To say that I won,t miss him, well that would be a lie.

I just pray that I am different, I pray that I,m not like him.
So excuse me while I butt out my cigarrette and finish my tonic and gin.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Malebranche Avatar
December 6, 2009 at 4:00 AM
I kinda feel the same way...Im on my third dad with the first two being kinda not right. My current stepdad has done right but its still hard to look at him and call him dad. Wonderful piece.
Hallett Avatar
December 3, 2009 at 1:02 PM
That was really good. keep writing -Courtney
Culverhouse Avatar
December 3, 2009 at 7:01 AM
great poem, we are a product of our raising and sometimes not.
Brown Avatar
November 28, 2009 at 7:32 AM
I would like to welcome you to PoetrySoup Thomas. I also wish you the best in your writing endeavors. If you have questions please feel free to ask anyone here. We are all willing to help and if we don't know the answer we will find someone who does. Love, Carol
Haick Avatar
November 27, 2009 at 6:57 PM
You dug deep to write this one, Thomas. And it is good! ....Soup Mail.. Peace,love, Audrey
Delacroix Avatar
November 26, 2009 at 9:24 PM
History can be changed, poet friend. You have the power to be what you would have liked to see in your Dad. Very well written couplet, though sad. Your pain is felt through the lines. I'm so sorry. I was lucky to have a great Dad. My mom was the one I swore I'd never be like. Thank you for sharing so honestly. Be well, Caroline.
H. Avatar
November 26, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Hmm, sad write. Good write you reached out and each line hit hard. Keep the creative pen flowing. ~Jen~
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