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My Father

When my father was in a drunken stupor,
He could be a disgusting, nasty pooper
His paranoia would send him into a rage
Everyone was against him took advantage,
So he thought, while inflating his self-worth
A vain man of massive ego and matching girth
He lashed out at those who loved him most,
Of his superior qualities he would often boast.
When he was sober, he could be Mr. Milquetoast
Some said he was one of the finest men on earth
It is true, he could exhibit considerable mirth
We wondered how he could turn the page
He was, indeed, a smart man, …even a sage.
Among friends he was considered a trooper,
But he could be a disgustingly nasty pooper
When my father was in a drunken stupor.

Written March 8, 2022
[Verso-Rhyme]

#68 on List of 100 Best Poems
Poetry Soup
April 1, 2022

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Shirley Hawkins Date: 3/9/2022 7:08:00 PM Your Father must have been a very unhappy man. It is sad for young children living with a parent who allows themselves to become out of control. Not a good environment to be brought up in. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/9/2022 7:32:00 PM Yes, that is true. It was a very difficult situation when he was home.

Rico Leffanta Date: 3/9/2022 10:36:00 AM It is interesting how drunks behave, e.g, the Welsh love to sing (as every rugby fan knows) whereas Germans love to sing and dance on tabletops, etc., but the American tradition is to argue and fight . . . . Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/9/2022 4:22:00 PM Seems to be the case, Rico...and so true in my case.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/8/2022 1:03:00 PM this is a really cool form, and wow, I love this poem. It reminds me of my stepdad's father, how nice he was and then when he got drunk, he was a totally different person. I love the way the ending here repeats the intro. a FAVE Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/8/2022 2:21:00 PM Thanks so much, Andrea. I find that I write lots of poems with this structure, so I just gave a name to it. It appears to come naturally to me.

Marco Chies Date: 3/8/2022 12:42:00 PM you know this poetry represents many of us. me for example. at some points my father was like that too, but when the first grandson was born he improved a lot, quit drinking and became the admirable person he still is today. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/8/2022 2:23:00 PM Ah, that's marvelous, Marco. My father turned a page in his later years (or at least he said he did) and became a different person, but, alas, it all took place long after I had already experienced the worst.

Tom Cunningham Date: 3/8/2022 12:33:00 PM It's always those close to someone that sees the dark side of them. If folk can't handle alcohol they should steer clear. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/8/2022 2:24:00 PM That is certainly true, Tom. My father couldn't seem to have a drink now and then. He had to buy and consume a whole bottle, get uproariously drunk, and make everyone (including himself) miserable. But, that was long ago!

Kenneth Cheney Date: 3/8/2022 12:02:00 PM Sadly far too many people can relate first hand to this problem. Substance abuse is a terrible thing. So often hidden away from the world, but family members suffer. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/8/2022 12:32:00 PM Indeed, they do. I did, Kenneth. My father and I, as a result, always had an adversarial relationship. It was a sad thing.