Emile Pinet Poet Quatrain

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 the image of my father
shamelessly staring right back at me.

I see the 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,
in every wart and worry wrinkle.
And I see his empty, hollow eyes,
that, over time, had lost their twinkle.

I see his gaunt face and balding head,
where old age pulled out most 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 my timeworn look,
I know how every blemish was earned.
And noting, I look like my father:
is the most humbling lesson I've learned.

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Line Gauthier May 26, 2018 at 7:34 PM Awesome poem, Emile. Emile Pinet May 27, 2018 at 7:58 AM Thanks Line, I appreciate your support my friend, Emile.

Keith Bickerstaffe February 15, 2016 at 9:27 AM Well done Emile! A poem with a splendid message! Best wishes, Keith Emile Pinet February 15, 2016 at 9:44 AM Thanks Keith, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.

Poet Destroyer A February 13, 2016 at 5:39 PM Thank you Emile for the reply, ;) Happy Valentines to you..... XOX ~Love LINDA~

Etienne Lariviere February 13, 2016 at 2:34 PM Very poetic Emile Pinet February 14, 2016 at 9:03 AM Thanks Etienne, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.

Timothy Hicks February 13, 2016 at 10:26 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! Emile Pinet February 13, 2016 at 11:42 AM Thanks so much Timothy, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.

Poet Destroyer A February 13, 2016 at 8:57 AM Emile, a wonderful message. I admire how you admire age... LOVE LINDA Emile Pinet February 13, 2016 at 11:42 AM Thanks LINDA, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.

Arthur Vaso February 12, 2016 at 11:47 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! Emile Pinet February 13, 2016 at 11:41 AM Thanks so much Arthur, I welcome your comments. Emile.

Andrea Dietrich February 12, 2016 at 8:22 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 Emile Pinet February 13, 2016 at 11:40 AM Thanks Andrea, as always, I welcome your comments and support. Emile.

White Sage February 12, 2016 at 6:05 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 Emile Pinet February 13, 2016 at 11:39 AM Thanks White Sage, I welcome your always friendly comments. Emile.

Tim Smith February 12, 2016 at 6:00 PM Every scar and every wrinkle has a story. Wonderful Emile Emile Pinet February 13, 2016 at 11:39 AM Thanks Tim, I welcome your comments. Emile.

Lindsay Laurie February 12, 2016 at 5:32 PM Hello Emile ... an apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it - Lindsay Emile Pinet February 13, 2016 at 11:38 AM Thanks Lindsay, I welcome your comments. Emile.

Anne-Lise Andresen February 12, 2016 at 3:49 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 :) Emile Pinet February 12, 2016 at 4:08 PM Thanks Anne-Lise, I welcome your comments. Emile.

Michael Tor February 12, 2016 at 3:41 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. Emile Pinet February 12, 2016 at 3:46 PM Thanks Michael, I welcome your comments and value your friendship. Emile.