The Asthmatic

THE ASTHMATIC

He was 53 when I was born,
A victim by depression shorn,
Never to know much of his own,
Enjoying neither car nor home.
Yet my father never gave in,
Struggled for breath through thick and thin.

And though nature’s victim, he thrived,
Knew well each tree and vine alive,
A regular fine sniffing hound,
Sampling from tree and from the ground –
Kicking up mushrooms after a rain,
Plucking berries again and again.

To us kids he never let on
How he struggled every day long.
Such are the heroics of man – 
Stoic accepting his Lord’s plan.
Thanks to my dad for being born,
That bedpost nickel every morn.

…………………………………………………

Dad was off to work before I got up . Strangely, after all these years, I prize those nickels so hard won.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
June 10, 2014 at 6:20 PM
I love this one about your dad. Sure wish you had entered it into the Father's Day contest. Every single poem got a first place because they were all poems close to our hearts!
Devonshire Avatar
June 9, 2014 at 6:48 PM
Dear Daver, But for the asthma, your poem made me think of my own father, a survivor of the Great Depression and not young when I was born. He pinched pennies, but they could just as easily been nickels. Indeed, I will never part with the coins I found in Dad's house. I'm so glad you are feeling better now, my friend. Love, Carolyn
Kendrick Avatar
June 9, 2014 at 8:10 AM
Great work honoring your father..He was a strong man..People with asthma today do have it a little better and I wonder how people survived back when there was very little to be done for the illness..Good to see your name on soup today..Sara
Austin Avatar
June 9, 2014 at 3:18 PM
For years there was nothing, then they came up with Breath Easy and that was a blessing. Love, daver
Gorelick Avatar
June 8, 2014 at 11:47 AM
Beautiful Dave-r...I can imagine how you love your nickels..How are you..long time no post? BG
Austin Avatar
June 8, 2014 at 12:50 PM
Been in the hospital for 11 days. Out now so I sure do love hearing from friends. Love, daver
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