I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

28 June 2016

My Dad

Grew roses,
strawberries,
ferns and bamboo.

Made wooden dolls
from round-topped clothes-pegs,
drawing faces on.

Sketched for me
water-colour flowers; I remember
pink heath’s delicate bells.

When I had nightmares
sat with me into dawn,
telling stories.

At parties, played
comb-and-tissue
mouth organ;

declaimed with gestures
‘Abdul the Bulbul Emir’
or some Rabbie Burns.

Made an acrostic poem
every family birthday,
the person’s name down the side.

Laughed
sang
danced.


Linking to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #309

Cross-posted to my verse portraits blog, Impressions You Left

21 comments:

  1. He sounds like a wonderful father, Rosemary. I like the idea that he made acrostic poems for birthdays. Anyone can BUY a birthday card, but it takes a special person to write an acrostic poem.

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  2. what a delightful poem!...and "Bulbul" reminds me of my grandma(maternal) who used to call me Bulbul and sometimes Bulbuli and the name has stuck to me as my nickname ...in fact I'm Bulbuli to all my cousins, uncle and aunts :)

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  3. Such wonderful memories... sounds like a great dad!

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  4. Oh I do love a father can also be a friend without conditions... To make toys instead of buying them, it sounds wonderful,

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  5. So delightful! Lovely tribute to your dad !

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  6. Acrostics! They are very interesting to make. Lovely tribute you have here, Rosemary. I believe you and your father had a great time when you were still young

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  7. Such sweet memories - each one seeming to sink into you - as the very best people do

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  8. Oh Rosemary this is such a tender and heartfelt write.. especially adore the images where he "Sketched for me water-colour flowers; I remember pink heath’s delicate bells." Beautifully penned.

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  9. Each of our fathers sits comfortably in our memories for how he loved being our Dad, talking, teaching, playing with us and loving us just as we do with our own children. How touching this is Rosemary.

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  10. What a marvelous tribute to your dad!

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  11. Such a lovely father! Love the acrostics!

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  12. Thanks for sharing your beautiful memories Rosemary

    Much love...

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  13. Oh Rosemary what a special, special tribute to your dad.....his great love for you and life sings through your words, and touches my heart as it conjures up images of my dad too! Thank you!

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  14. What a wonderful man... and what a miracle of a dad.

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  15. Your list style poem works well for your subject.

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  16. This truly is a portrait. A glimpse at a person, and a life. I really enjoyed this.

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  17. Rosemary

    I know you are absolutely lucky.

    For he

    Laughed
    sang
    danced.

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  18. I love how personal this is..how your dad did these special things for YOU and you now hold them dear and close to your heart as meaningful reminders of how he loved and cared for you.

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  19. Delightful... I forgot about the "tissue comb" kazoo :-)
    ZQ

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  20. You have sketched this piece so tenderly. How lucky you are to have had such a father.

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  21. such sweet memories. sounds like a great dad!
    liked the style of your poem. a list poem in 3-lined stanzas. :)

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