My Father and the Staff of Life

`                                                                

How strangely life will turn around, reverse, then come again
I remember how he would tiptoe in, from a warm and downy bed
He’d  wink at me, then beckon me, while twinkling stars peeked in
In kitchen light, a bite to eat, a midnight snack, he said

I would pour the milk, and he would smile, then carefully tear the bread
The staff of life, a simple thing, these two small bowls of wheat
My Dad and I, the broken bread, with milk on top, or cream instead
A bit of sugar or honey dripped, to make it slightly sweet

Such a little thing, so comforting, and helped us both to sleep
And in my care, his dwindling  years…especially at the end
He was fading then, no appetite, few foods that he could eat
Soft bread I’d make, with milk poured in, would help us think of then

I’d sit upon his bed and talk, and help him spoon some in
The things in life turn inside out,  somehow come back again


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For the Contest: Sponsored By Regina Riddle "Intimate Relationships"
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011


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Date: 6/12/2014 9:23:00 PM
You are so precious I see where it came from a fav for me! Congrad's on your winning verse. Light & Love
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Date: 6/11/2014 10:21:00 PM
Nice win...PD
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Date: 6/10/2014 7:39:00 PM
a heart expressed fir a father who is really the best, carrie...those details make this special.. sweet congrats!.. huggs
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Date: 6/10/2014 9:32:00 AM
This really touched me Carrie.Congratulations on a beautiful win...love, Deb
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Date: 6/9/2014 10:53:00 PM
Nicely done. congrats on the win, carrie
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Date: 6/9/2014 7:16:00 PM
How lucky you were to be allowed to return some of the love he had poured on you. Congratulations. Love, joyce
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Date: 6/29/2011 5:16:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in the contest Carrie. Love, Carol
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Date: 6/20/2011 8:56:00 PM
oh, so sad and also nostalgic. Full of emotion. ONe of the best here! a belated congrats on the HM!
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Date: 6/12/2011 1:59:00 PM
aww I'm crying...so real, dear and raw with emotion, my Mom used to make us milk toast when we were sick, soft buttered white bread toast..with a cream sauce made from milk and cornstarch...poured over..then another dollop of butter...so filling! Thank you for letting me remember with you. Light & Love
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Date: 6/11/2011 9:10:00 AM
congrats on your well deserved win in BRIAN's contest.cheers
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Date: 6/11/2011 7:47:00 AM
congrats on your win with this great piece. cory
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Date: 2/14/2011 1:40:00 PM
Carrie, it sounds like your Dad was a sweet man who was always looking out for you. It's ironic how the role reversal as caregiver changed over the years. This is a lovely entry for Dr. Ram's sonnet contest. Best wishes for success! Love, Carolyn
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