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The Father you do not Know

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Many men feel like they have to be strong in front of their chidlren. Like many men who feel they need to wear a mask to hide ther inner pain. Many men sacrifice their own happines to see their children are safe and happy. And whilst doing this, forget about their own needs, and many times it can end in a bad way. I'm not saying it is right, just a poem about how men can suffer in silence.

The father you do not know, loved you since the day you were born. Held you carefully in his arms and promised to always keep you warm. The father you do not know, never wanted you to see him weak. He held you up so high, so you could reach the sky. The father you do not know, sacrificed his own needs. Even when he was broken and tired, he ensured you got what you desired. The father you do not know, hid his own personal achievements. His heart only cared about your progress and was so jubilant in your success. The father you do not know, was silly to be so stubborn. He found it difficult to explain his dysfunctional sorrow and pain. He hid it all inside, you thought it was his pride, but it was his inner child, who made him feel exiled. The father you do not know, still sang your childhood song. He was once your hero so strong, until you thought he had done you wrong. The father you do not know, left this world today. Whispered your name with his last breath, I hope he finds his peace in death.

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Reya Suri

Date: 4/4/2025 7:05:00 PM

Damn. For a period in my life, I was convinced my father didn't love me. He never listened to me, always cut me off, treated me as less; but I never realized the small gestures he did for me. I'll never know the truth, but maybe he just didn't know how to show his love. Maybe he did love.

Michael Tor

Date: 3/23/2025 4:51:00 AM

Reading this Silent One brought tears to my eyes for sadly I can reflect with my child so much of what you wrote. They say time heals wounds but I don't have a million years. God bless you my friend for reaching into the deepest part of my heart with this if I may Heartfelt Piece. I woke my wife up to read her the truth and pain in your reaching words. This one is a favorite because it is real to many caring and loving father's. Thank you for putting it into words of what caring father's feel...

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/23/2025 12:29:00 AM

This isn't all Father's. But yes I can see how it describes some of them. Beautiful writing.

Phyllis Babcock

Date: 3/22/2025 6:47:00 PM

This poem touched my heart and your words were moving. I miss my dad he was a strong man with a lot of pride. Deeply moving. love phyl

Zyrool Gifford

Date: 3/22/2025 10:09:00 AM

Hello SO, this is a beautiful and very touching write. I have seen many who have sacrificed for their children. I felt deeply moved by your words. Sending Blessings your way, my friend.

Paige Hind

Date: 3/21/2025 7:12:00 PM

This s heart wrenching. A beautiful poem- so beautiful

Nette Onclaud

Date: 3/21/2025 5:22:00 PM

you brought back tender moments i held for so long with my father...these were short-lived but precious in molding who i am now... love the deep sentiments and poetic languge here, S!

Brandy Nicole

Date: 3/21/2025 5:05:00 PM

' Many men feel they need to wear a mask to hide their inner pain. ' So sad. Your poem touches my heart deeply, Silent One. The truth is, many have been in this situation. Silence is golden at times, but not always. Emotions of the heart need to be shared. Children understand you can't always be strong. You *do* the best you can. Your thoughts are tender and they curl gently around me. Hugs, Brandy

Duke Beaufort

Date: 3/20/2025 7:25:00 AM

SO, it’s all true that we who love our children sometimes miss something or make a mistake. Hopefully a child knows what’s in a father’s heart. I’ve seen examples of good relations as well as estrangement. You nail it when talking about stubborn. That leads to all kinds of trouble and it’s sad to watch. Really tough on the receiving end. We also certainly want to build up our children rather than compete with them. Smiles!

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/19/2025 4:05:00 PM

WOW!!! From the first line to the last line, a masterpiece. After all the many years, I still miss my dad more than words can say. I also think you could put mother where you have father. It is sad yet true for many. The last four lines had me in tears. FAV... Have a very blessed day writing away..................

Eve Roper

Date: 3/19/2025 7:46:00 AM

Miss my father. He was strong with much pride. I enjoyed reading your verse, my friend.

Valsa George

Date: 3/19/2025 3:29:00 AM

I can so well relate to the feelings of the father whose plight is described here with emotional intensity. Also I can gauge the depth of his sorrow when a coldness develops among his children towards him. If a mother is ignored, she will either cry or express her sorrow or anger through tears or sobs or bitter words. But a father takes the ingratitude of the children into himself and it sinks into his heart so heavy while keeping a passive demeanor. He lives as an embodiment of silenced pain, never expressing it out and never letting anyone see the caverns of his mind where he has hidden all his sorrow. An open communication can sometimes improve the situation. From the intensity of the feelings described, I assume that you are unveiling the layers of your own heart. May a pervading warmth spread into the child- father relationship soon. Happy you have begun writing once more, dear Silent One.

Maria Williams

Date: 3/18/2025 8:52:00 PM

Wow, S1, this is such a deeply moving and powerful poem. The emotions run so raw and real—there’s so much love, sacrifice, and unspoken pain in these words. The repetition of "The father you do not know" hits hard, making each verse even more poignant. That last line is absolutely heartbreaking. Beautifully written, my friend!...Hugs

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/18/2025 1:37:00 PM

I tell my dad, “Thank you,” all the time. As an old man, weak with tears (when Mom died) - loved him all the more. A beautiful and touching poem, Silent!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 3/18/2025 11:28:00 AM

Dear SO, I just finished reading your poem and I honestly don’t even know where to begin. It hit me right in the heart just like some part of it reached into a quiet place I didn’t know I was holding onto. There’s so much rawness and so much humanity in your words. It feels deeply personal like you’ve peeled back layers of something we don’t often talk about but feel so deep. The way you’ve written about the father about his quiet sacrifices and his struggles, his love for it’s heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. It’s like you’ve given a voice to someone who never quite knew how to speak for themselves. I just wanted to let you know how much this moved me. Spring Blessings, Welcome Back, Daniel

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/18/2025 11:14:00 AM

Quite an emotional and powerful write SO, many fathers want the best for their kids and often put their interests before their own and neglect themselves and can take a toll on their mental health. Tom

Karen Jones

Date: 3/18/2025 8:56:00 AM

Wow! Your heart filled poem is giving a voice to many fathers who live up to the strong images. This is raw and deep! I especially feel sad men often are not as free to be vulnerable. Great poem!

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 3/18/2025 8:48:00 AM

Ah Silent One, so many suffer in silence and their disfunction is pegged as ego or pride, when often they just want to be seen heard and understood. Its hard raising children in the best of times, let alone hard situations, thank you for sharing such a sensitive poem. Many can relate to this :(

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 3/18/2025 8:02:00 AM

Relationships are sometimes difficult. I was fond of my father but felt he was weak. Still, I wanted to see him well. He must have been jealous of my mother as I adored her. Great reflections.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/18/2025 7:46:00 AM

- This brings up many feelings... that I know so well... heartbreaking to read, my friend - hugs

Lin Lane

Date: 3/18/2025 7:42:00 AM

Your lines are emotionally wrought with sadness explaining the reasons for estrangement. Things that should be said are not and any chance of reconciliation is not possible in death. Your last verse is devoutly heartfelt.

Ink Empress

Date: 3/18/2025 6:52:00 AM

This poem, i did not think i would feel it that deep, but today as i read it, i cant help but feel the pain and it made me cry, well i do understand how so many men suffer in silence and how toxic masculinity can be overwhelming. Its hard to talk about this subject but i must point out the lines that made me wish there is no such thing as misunderstandings, and ego, and there is no such thing as stubbornness, and love and forgiveness would win over everything else, and sometimes i just wish relationships such as that of a father and child would not break due to silence and other external factors. "The father you do not know, still sang your childhood song. He was once your hero so strong" and also "hid his own personal achievements. His heart only cared about your progres" i a very powerful poem written in a very soft and tender manner which gives and evocative and soul stirring touch! Would thaw a frozen heart too, pleasure reading. Welcome back

Silent One
Date: 3/18/2025 6:59:00 AM

You can be masculine without it being toxic dear... Many times children do not realise their father's pain.. they just judge the outer and the actions.. Thank you for feeling my poem.. I performed this at my open mic night and it got a few tears, which means many related to it.. a great compliment for a poet