My Father’s Daughters

I have a very poorly sister. Thinking of her today in her struggle. An old poem not published here before.

here are my sisters
laughing and smiling
surrounded by meadows
embraced by the sun
purple the loosestrife
tall above green grass
abundant white cowslip
as years have moved on

thankful am i
the eldest of siblings
the river flows downstream
now what of our dreams
some have proved fruitful
some best forgotten
some may still happen
we’re not out of steam

regardless the weather
we stick close together
in times when we’re happy
or days filled with sad
the lessons we’ve learned
we can not be broken
we’re here for each other
through good times and bad

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

Yes, family is the real magic.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Winston for stopping by. Have a good Sunday.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

I am sorry your sister isn't feeling well. I only had one sibling, a brother, who passed away in 2018. I envy the closeness you write about. I always felt like my parents were raising two only children. You are blessed to be in such exalted company, and I pray you will continue to be so for quite some time.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Zoe, thank you for your very kind words. I am indeed fortunate with my siblings and know that not everyone shares a similar experience. Have a Good Friday.

Chris

[Neville]

I am so sorry to hear about your sister Chris .. just be sure that I am thinking of you both and shall endeavour to undertake a little embu later this evening in my to garden dedicated to the pair of you ..
I shall re-visit these words when I can find words of my own that are appropriately fitting .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Neville. That is so appreciated.

Chris

[Whisper]

Your poem feels like sunlight on water—tender, flowing, and filled with the unbreakable thread of family. The imagery of meadows and rivers gives it a timeless beauty, while the closing lines pulse with warmth and strength. It reads like both a memory and a promise, a gentle hymn to sisterhood.

[Chris Shaw]

Nature and nurture, your kind words encompass my make up. Thank you so much for them Whisper. Very much appreciated.

Chris

[K. Louis]

The bond between sisters is unlike anything else. We are blessed if we get to experience it. I enjoyed the blend of nature imagery with emotional depth.

[Chris Shaw]

I am so pleased you stopped by. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. They are truly valued KL.

Chris

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thanks Chris. I love your opening stanza; I have the image firmly fixed in mind and heart. Yes that river just keeps flowing. I hope you tell said sister so many people here are thinking of her, perhaps like me saying a small prayer. MSB

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your kindness Michael. I am so blessed having siblings. I so appreciate you keeping Wendy in your prayers. She is very ill at present.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

Your poetry it always on the nail honest and sincere, this is no different. My family has lost siblings but the ones we have are as precious as daylight, without them, each of us would be less than we are. Hackened words but: many thanks for sharing, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

We are indeed blessed by siblings past and present. How lonely to be an only child. Many thank yous for your review Em.

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

Good day dear Chris. I hope life is as beautiful as your poems for you ma'am.
I am impressed with the narration here. I don't have siblings but I have friends who are like brothers/sisters to me. Among the poets of this website, your style has suited me the most. As a Persian, I am more familiar with the rhythmic poem with strong rhymes. As for you, I enjoy the style.
Thanks for sharing it and may great days be ahead for your family. All the best
Sincerely
Nima
..

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Nima, it’s been a long while since you stopped by so I am especially delighted to find your review here. Thank you for your very kind wishes for my family. They are reciprocated. All the best to you.

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

Thank you dear Chris. I really miss this place. I'm ashamed of my childish behavior in the past years. I needed time to grow up somehow. I still fill like I owe more honesty to the friends here.
Thanks again
Take care🌹

[Lorry]

Sorry to hear of your poorly suster Chris, which is i assume her condition and not her name, but if it is it is a very unique one! 😃
Your words are what family should all be about. I just wish someone told mine that instead of just talk constantly about yourself, very loudly and grab everything you can, while giving nothing in return.
But enough about those waste of spaces and your words sound like childhoods spent together that grew into a life of being together through all the good and sadly the bad too.
I could go on, but im a bit jealous that you got one that worked (a family that is)
To you the phrase "you don't get to choose you're family" must sound like a proverb, but to me it just reminds me of how bad my luck was, before escaping their noise. 😃

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. I know how fortunate I am to have a close family. Plenty don’t. Sorry that your experiences weren’t good. You are right, we don’t choose our family, but we can choose our friends, and friends can be a great blessing when you need them. Yes, I have a poorly sis in hospital. I am able to visit frequently, which helps. Have a good Wednesday.

Chris

[RomaJ]

I'm the second oldest of four sisters, and even though oceans now separate us, we are still completely intertwined- we're constantly in sync and even show up in each other's dreams.

And no matter how much time passes, their familiar quirks never change!

I'll always see them as my little sisters, and I'm fiercely protective of them.

​The entire poem is truly a tribute to that lifelong connection. It’s comforting to know that this piece succeeds in being a tribute to sisterhood and enduring family bonds.

When one of my sisters are struggling. I try to be a lighthouse or sometimes, an anchor, and try to support them as best I can. Sometimes, just listening and even, praying for them helps tremendously. I wish you and your sister, love and light and she is able to get through her struggle.

[Chris Shaw]

Wow, you have three sisters while I have two. Yes, I am also fiercely protective of them. The greatest gift my parents ever bestowed. We have a solid support network. I love your review and what you have kindly shared about your own sisters. Lighthouse and anchor are great words. Thank you so much RomaJ. Your visits are a delight.

Chris