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What I Swore I'D Never See

Lately, when I look in a mirror I see what I swore I'd never see. For there's an image of my father shamelessly staring right back at me. There is his fat belly I hated, hanging profusely over my belt. And those droopy bags under his eyes now sag under mine as the years melt. I see the scars time etched on his face with every wart and worry wrinkle. And I see his empty hollow eyes that, over time, had lost their twinkle. I can see his face and balding head, where age had thinned out much of his hair. And with his crinkled cheeks and false teeth, I swear it's him, not me standing there. Yet, I've grown fond of this timeworn look, for I know how each blemish was earned. But, finding my father looked like me, was the most humbling lesson learned. (Quatrain) 2/12/2016

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 5/26/2018 7:34:00 PM
Awesome poem, Emile.
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Emile Pinet
Date: 5/27/2018 7:58:00 AM
Thanks Line, I appreciate your support my friend, Emile.
Date: 2/15/2016 9:27:00 AM
Well done Emile! A poem with a splendid message! Best wishes, Keith
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/15/2016 9:44:00 AM
Thanks Keith, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.
Date: 2/13/2016 5:39:00 PM
Thank you Emile for the reply, ;) Happy Valentines to you..... XOX ~Love LINDA~
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Date: 2/13/2016 2:34:00 PM
Very poetic
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/14/2016 9:03:00 AM
Thanks Etienne, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.
Date: 2/13/2016 10:26:00 AM
Great tribute and lesson for a child to a parent (and vica-versa). My dad is 40 years older than me, and I take a lot after him as well. Though it will take quite awhile, I imagine, for me to fully come to this revelation!
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/13/2016 11:42:00 AM
Thanks so much Timothy, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.
Date: 2/13/2016 8:57:00 AM
Emile, a wonderful message. I admire how you admire age... LOVE LINDA
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/13/2016 11:42:00 AM
Thanks LINDA, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.
Date: 2/12/2016 11:47:00 PM
Emile, this poem is well, so filled with love and life and life's contemplations and the lessons we all one day learn, loved this!
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/13/2016 11:41:00 AM
Thanks so much Arthur, I welcome your comments. Emile.
Date: 2/12/2016 8:22:00 PM
my goodness, that is my nightmare, and I really understand this poem. A few years ago I started to notice a few little things reminding me of my mother when she started to show the age. wEll, she is 84 now and actually kind of a cute old lady!! Hopefully I will turn out at least as nice as she has. I really enjoyed your poem
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/13/2016 11:40:00 AM
Thanks Andrea, as always, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.
Date: 2/12/2016 6:05:00 PM
am sure you must have respected though not very much like an old face when you were young, we're sometimes like that...but when we grow, we come to understand that the face isn't disfigured, no, it didn't worn out, no, it is an evidence of what we've been, what we've gone through...excellent write Emile, excellent
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/13/2016 11:39:00 AM
Thanks White Sage, I welcome your always friendly comments. Emile.
Date: 2/12/2016 6:00:00 PM
Every scar and every wrinkle has a story. Wonderful Emile
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/13/2016 11:39:00 AM
Thanks Tim, I welcome your comments. Emile.
Date: 2/12/2016 5:32:00 PM
Hello Emile ... an apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it - Lindsay
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/13/2016 11:38:00 AM
Thanks Lindsay, I welcome your comments. Emile.
Date: 2/12/2016 3:49:00 PM
- Like father like son :) - I see my mother in the mirror, that's probably the way it should be - I wish you a lovely weekend and a romantic Valentine, Emile :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/12/2016 4:08:00 PM
Thanks Anne-Lise, I welcome your comments. Emile.
Date: 2/12/2016 3:41:00 PM
Wow what a theme. I can relate to this Emile. I also see my dad in the mirror when I look at myself. My feelings are like yours. I played at one time professional soccer and I weighed 155 in my prime Im ashamed to tell you my weight now lol. Back then the weight would come off easy now I have to work harder to keep it off. My hair is leaving me gradually. I loved the way you wrote this, the comparisons between your dad, and the thoughts behind it. A 7++ my friend.
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/12/2016 3:46:00 PM
Thanks Michael, I welcome your comments and value your friendship. Emile.

Book: Shattered Sighs