The Difference

Happy Father's Day to those who are Dads......you are important...never doubt it.

Scanning the evening horizon
    certain there is something out there

      yet not being able to bring it into focus

 

Walking through

    a totally open-ended landscape of thought
       never reaching a conclusion

        and not really needing to

So it is with the memory of you
like a newspaper clipping folded up in my wallet
ever-ready to stretch open into velvet nostalgia
when the time is right
            (or not right as the case may be)

Indeed

you are here with me
    and somehow
        that makes all the difference

Author's Note

After 20 years, I still see my father's twinkling blue eyes and hear him whistling....not just on Father's Day, but every day.

Reviews

[Beccy]

Lydia, this is just so lovely. My father is getting close to seventy now. Just over two years ago he was diagnosed with Leukemia, (CML,) but we are so fortunate that there have been some amazing advances in treatment and so far, it is being contained. It's my mum and my sister and I who worry the most as dad tends to treat it as though it were an ingrowing toenail. I love him dearly and know, just like you, that twenty years on is simply an irrelevant blink in time.

God bless. Beccy.

[Lydia Shutter]

Beccy, I sincerely hope you have your Dad with you for many more years. He has a good attitude...and that goes a long way. Thank you for your review. Lydi**

[Tom]

A deeply touching, heartfelt homily in remembrance of your dear father, departed in body but ever present in spirit !

Delightfully scribed Lydia!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Tom....my dad is with me always. Lydi**

[Ruth]

I miss my Dad, been ten years this December...I understand the tangible feeling of them being near...I used to worry I would forget his voice...makes all the difference to know that, so true - lovely dedication hon x

[Lydia Shutter]

There are days I have trouble focusing on the memories...it's been almost 20 years now. Still, I can hear him whistling when he walked up the big hill to get home from the bus. Thank you for your review...and for understanding. lydi**

[Ruth]

So welcome love x

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi... Our parents linger in our
Life... and we reflect their goodness.
My Dad loved Shakespeare and instilled
in me a desire to think deeply when expressing
feelings. He once told me... "when days are
dark and dreary.. it is the shadow of an angel's
wing watching over you". I am drawn to your
poetry like a moth to a flame." truly... Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

What a lovely line that is....your father obviously instilled the love of poetry in you, my friend. Thank you so much for this great review. lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi... reading your poetry is like
a wine tasting where the woodsy flavors
of life blend with aging and life is mellow.
truly... Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Your words are always poetic and so sweet, my friend. Lydi**

[David Scott]

I believe one of the key elements of fatherhood is actually "being there". Then when for some reason you are not there is a calmness and a peace understanding why they are not or at least knowing your father would be there if he could be.
Thus the final stanza, "Indeed you are here with me and somehow that makes all the difference".
I enjoyed your perspective here very much Lydi.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, David. My father was always "there" for me when he was alive.....and the last twenty years without him, his memory is with me...always will be. Lydi**

[redzone]

Talked to my dad earlier today, he's doing pretty good for almost 90. Memories of my dad are sometimes bitter sweet, but he was the one who read us poetry and in many ways contributed to my need to write. Your wonderful poem expresses how our dad's (and moms) affect us even when no longer around... and yes still make a difference... you always write such "nice" poetry Lydi and I always love reading them.. ~~redzone

[Lydia Shutter]

Hi Curt! Happy Father's Day to you. Glad your dad is doing as well as he is. No parent is perfect....we all do the best we know how. If your dad is the one who read poetry to you, I want to thank him today....because he instilled a love of words in you that has lasted a lifetime! Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Joyce S. Greene]

A very thoughtful and loving poem in your father's honor, Lydi. I hope your day is brightened with many happy memories of your times together.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Joyce. I was so fortunate to have the man I did for a Dad. His twinkling blue eyes and laugh are with me always. The things he taught me made me a better person. I appreciate your review. Lydi**

[Lyn Anderson]

This is beautiful, and loving, and heartfelt. I feel blessed to still have my dad with me

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, KL....give him an extra big hug today if you are living nearby! Lydi**

[Sheila Kline]

Lydi,
Your words ring out with a beautiful message of love for your dear father!! I believe as you in that my father is still with me. We can never give them the proper homage due, but you have certainly surpassed the norm with your words of affection and memory!!

[Lydia Shutter]

Sheila, your review is a warm hug tonight. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[Sheila Kline]

It is my pleasure to give you a hug!!! - always!!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and my dad is still with me...literally...but at his age, sometimes he is not with me...but i love him...and this poem made me think so strongly of him...at 95 thought, he is still hanging in there.

i spoke with him for a few minutes today...

thanks for this poem, Lydi.

jacob

[Lydia Shutter]

You are so fortunate to still have your dad....even if he is not the same as you remember. Oh, to be able to still speak with mine...just one more time....I would give anything. Thank you for your review, Jacob. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh i know...and i appreciate every moment i get to see him or talk with him...never know!

[Lydia Shutter]

Exactly! Happy Father's Day to you both.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

well, thank you...although i am not a father, unless of course, you count my Cat...

three marriages, but no kids.

[Lydia Shutter]

But you are an adult male....which means you have been a father figure to someone...even if you did not realize it. Nope, the cat does not count! :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you surely have a point there, Lydi...and thank you for that.
i surely won't tell the cat she does not count.

[Lydia Shutter]

ROFL really laughing here....enjoy your evening, Jacob.