Best Poems Written by Amanda Griffith

Daddy's Home

My dark tower, 
so strong and stoic in your white suit 
made milky from the constant stream of sweat 
salted with your anger, determination, and pride. 
Stains of the latest rage 
added to your uniformed rainbow. 
I wondered what color you would end up?
Like the smell of kerosene, I followed you
through the kitchen, into the bathroom.
There I stood, holding up the door frame,
submerged in the sound of water and 
the quick fragrance of dollar-store soap, 
watching your every move, 
my Daddy, the apple of my eye.
You turned the cleansing bar 
in your hand with no effort; dropped it 
back into its porcelain place.
Back and forth, your hands 
made more and more bubbles.
Over and over, you turned them
under the faucet, as if the water would 
rinse away more than the day’s work. 
Your graying hair was dusted 
with their chips of paint.
Someone else’s disregarded memories 
brought into our home 
to be swept away by the one 
who smiled and made everything better with a good supper.
Don’t sigh Daddy. 
One day we’ll repaint our home, 
make it brighter, newer, better and 
someone else will sweep our memories
from their floor.

Copyright © Amanda Griffith | Year Posted 2005