Chapter (6) A FATHERS LAMENT

FOR MY DAUGHTER HELEN. I MISS YOU VERY MUCH.

                                    A FATHERS LAMENT

   Should've said " I love you" more,

   Should've turned, not crossed the door

   Should've waited, should've tried

   Should've got down on my knees

   and cried

   Should've been a better dad, 

   Should've never made you sad

   Should've stayed to see you grow

   Should've let my feelings show

   Should've done the things that's right,

   Should've tucked you up at night.

   Should've watched you growing up

   Should've shared loves family cup

   Should've been there in your life,

   Should've seen you be a wife

   Should've never walked away, 

   Should've kissed you every day.

   Should've held your hand to school

   Should've been much less a fool

   Should've brought you pretty things

   Should've told you my heart sings.

   Should've needed, should've cared,

   Should've wanted, should've shared.

   Should've should've in my head,

   Should've stopped me seeing red

   Should've waited should've tried, 

   Should've never ever lied

   Should've should've in my soul, 

   Should've made our family whole.

   Should've is a word I use, 

   Should've? Just an excuse

   Should've stayed to hear you laugh,

   Should've, be my epitaph.

   Should've kept your memory sweet,  

   Should've never pressed delete.

Author's Note

FOR MY DAUGHTER.

Reviews

[MomzillaNC]

All the might've beens and should've dones never hurt so deeply as when we think of them on behalf of our children.

I think several of your lines should be broken before the next "should've" phrase; one line per "should've" phrase. Stanzas would help the flow and give more impact to the repetition, I think.

I think the repetition works very well here. When we look back on any relationship, thinking of what might have been better, what we should have done better, it's an endless, self-defeating litany. We can't change what was… but we can make a better what will be…

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Thank you my friend for this constructive comment.
I agree with you about stanzas. I've had a niggle about this poem for a while. I'll take you advice and re construct it. Regards.

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome. And, it's much easier on the eyes to follow now. It also gives the driving "should've" more emphasis. I glad I could help.

[Prabha Salimath]

Very beautiful sir and thank you so much for sharing. It wrote on daughter dragged me to read the poem. Being a girl being a daughter I'm having all the things which you explained in your poem except one or two. I saw my dad became weaken for my one wrong decision.

I want to give a msg don't know what viewers think or believe of my words. Daddy always looks strong and adamant indeed they worry about their kids a lot specially girl. I'm the most luckiest girl on this earth to have a dad like that.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

I thank you so much for taking the time to write this for me. Yes a daddy is always thinking of his little girl, even when they are full grown. I think your daddy is also very lucky to such a daughter as you.

[Prabha Salimath]

You are welcome sir and thanks again.

[Frieda P]

Who couldn't appreciate the sentiments in this poem, although I must admit, all the 'should've's'...bug me to no end. You're nutters about punctuation, I'm anal about repetition. ;) Nonetheless, I love the emotion this inspires.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

You are correct about one thing. I'm certifiably nutters.
This was written for my estranged daughter who I've not seen or heard from for more than 5 years.
I don't write many repetitive pieces and I've got nothing in the pipeline. Maybe my finest and only one.

[Frieda P]

Perhaps you should send her your poem, she might understand all the 'should've's'....

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Yes I've considered it. I found her on Facebook but can't decide what to do. You see I have no idea why she is being this way. She even got married without telling me, in fact she instructed the family that I was NOT to know about. Who knows.

[Frieda P]

Someone should break the ice if nothing outrageous happened in your mind, I guess it's up to Dad, what's the worse that could happen, you end up in the same place you are currently....

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

That's true. I guess I'm still afraid of being rejected. I'll have to bite the bullet and contact her.

[Frieda P]

Think of the plus side if she's accepting instead....

[Patrick]

This is very interesting and thoughtful my friend. Your poems are so deep and inspiring. Keep up the good work

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Thank you for your reading and comment. I hope you enjoyed it.