Notes About The Poem

For 2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 14 Poetry Contest sponsored by Mark Toney

My Father's Field and Stream

I woke up this morning from a dream. 
On the coffee table, I saw a magazine - 
my father's Field and Stream,

and I remembered how he wanted to take me to a place
he went with his own father
in an earlier time and space, 

to nature's rugged, wild Elysian fields,
where boys and men could bond,
like a page and knight with sword and shield.

So, he took me to the mountains, beautiful and free,
and I wanted to go there with him,
but my imprisoned eyes couldn't see.

My father's field and stream, you see, 
was not a place, but a state of mind, 
and I could not go there by decree.

I was not the kind of boy or man
my dad wanted me to be.  
He didn't know what was obvious to me.

Between my mom, my brothers and I,
the verdict was decided, 
"Entirely unfit", they would all decry.    

I was unworthy, and I was weak,
I wasn't one of the Hardy boys,
and felt much more like a freak.

I wish that I could have joined you, Dad, 
in those fields and streams,
to share together the experience you had, 

and I am ready to join you in nature's high, 
but it's too late for us.
You're in the Field and Streams of the sky.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
September 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Dear David, your intimate and introspective poem has many emotional facets; tenderness, poignancy, regrets, expectations, realizations, mortality, and they all combine seamlessly to create a nuanced, deeply affecting poem. Beautiful poetry. Congratulations for your success in Mark’s contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Crandall Avatar
September 9, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Thank you, Susan, I appreciate your nice comments!
Toney Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 9:21 PM
David, this is a poignant story of death and missed opportunities. This will resonate with many. A Fav poem for me. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 14 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. We’re well past the halfway point! Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 15 has already started.
Crandall Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Thanks, lacing up for Mile 15!
Edmonds  Avatar
June 19, 2025 at 2:11 AM
David, the recess of our mind takes us back in time. It’s never too late to make amends, the blessed day does come, for everyone… Beryl
Crandall Avatar
June 19, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Thanks Beryl. When my dad passed away over 9 years ago, one of the first things I thought of was that now he was in some hunting ground in the sky, like some kind of Tom Sawyer, catching fish with a straw hat.
Wolf Avatar
June 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Whoa. Whoa. and Whoa again. I know exactly what you mean. And it's heartbreaking. Brings back memories I've suppressed for decades with all my might. Powerful for me, David.
Crandall Avatar
June 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Thanks, Gershon. I appreciate that. I had a pretty pleasant relationship with my dad as an adult, but I wish I could've loosened up and enjoyed the childhood times more. My dad had really enjoyed all the hunting and fishing with his dad, and I think he tried to duplicate that.
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