it's a dad poem

it's a dad poem

it's a dad poem

get me the wrench

in the tool closet,

he would say to me

I would search hours for the elusive

gadget

I would scream to myself

cry tears from behind my eyes

that would fall on my heart

I let him down, I let him down

I went to him empty handed

empty-hearted

a bad ending to a dad poem

a last line of disappointment

a son who cannot find the obvious

only some hidden meaning

behind a metaphor

of a stupid poem

but this

it's a dad poem

I can't make him proud

a silly wrench

twists my insides

like I was just a nut and bolt

of idiocy

and then I hear him laugh

and remark

"oh yes, I left it in the garage

yesterday when I was working on the lawn mower"

it had cut me to the quick

but now like young blade of grass

after a cutting,

I rose again to greet the sun

a son,

who was able

to find a more suitable ending

for his dad poem

erin-cilberto

3/10/22

Reviews

[knighngale]

awww, I love this poem whole-heartedly. It reminds me of me too! I know! I feel so upset when Daddy asks me of things. But I learned. He just wanted you to learn. I'm sure he loves you and is proud of you, hun. :D

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh yes, I am sure he did...and was.
thank you, knighngale,
I appreciate your words.read moreOh yes, I am sure he did...and was.
thank you, knighngale,
I appreciate your words.
j.

[knighngale]

most definately, :D

[Relic]

I guess all a son wants to do is make his father proud. When he meets with opposition from something as mundane as a wrench, it tears him apart as it did you. There are times when even relief can't be reconsiled. But when you're that young, give it a few minutes and it usually is. :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

in his last years I felt I finally did make him proud...
it meant the world to me and still does.
thank you, Relic,
j.

[William Michael Reeves]

Poignant. Kind of light hearted and carries the weight of the meaning in every line. I really like it when the comedy and tragedy roll over on top of each other like this.

Brought back a memory similar. My dad asked me to get him a match. I went and by chance there was a book with just one match in it. I thought it would be funny. When I said here's your match and he opened it and saw only one match he beat the s**t out of me! Can't help but think of the viper snake. Good poetry brings memory. Good and bad.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thanks for sharing that story, Bill,
j.

[Light and ashes]

A very bittersweet dad poem.....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, light,
j.

[Light and ashes]

You are always welcome, jacob.

[andrew mitchell]

A happy but sad write as we reflect back on what was.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, andrew,
j.

[DIVYA]

We keep seeking to relive those moments with them. Going over things, especially those that made them happy and proud of us. This is something that never ends, till we live.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

so true, DIVYA....
I miss him so much,
thank you,
j.

[DIVYA]

You're always welcome, my friend.

[Patricia]

Oh wow this actually happened to me and my dad, I mean exactly like this, I’m sorry I’m laughing at the coincidence of this and the major flashback I’m having and feeling exactly like that, an idiot but I learned something that day, we all learn something for the first time at some point so if I’m an idiot so is everyone else. This truly blew me away! How cool is that coincidence?!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that is pretty damn cool...thanks for sharing Patricia...
and for getting him.
j.

[conversations with her ..]

I love the imagery and felt a sense of light and sadness while reading.

Good read Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words,
j.

[Aluppi Jampur]

It's sad his dad poem has ended but I get the sense their will be more that are for him.
Funny how we fear disappointing our parents. Even still. We want to please them. Most of us do...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your review, Chrome,
j.

[M. J. Smith]

As writergirl says, you never M as what you never had. I found father figures in pastors and Sunday School teachers. Otherwise, it's all been on the job training. My dad's was an adulterer, a drunk, and even my half brother couldn't stand him. Oh well. Nicely written, J.

[M. J. Smith]

'Scuse me! It was Gee I quoted. Anywho, better in some ways. No previncieved notions. I was a blank slate. Thank you for your kind words.