Father and sons. It’s complicated.
Pop
By Robert C Price
My father was something
Of a thug
A man bent on being
Something other than
Himself
A two-gun toting storm
Of inconsistencies
Who didn’t know what
He wanted
Kicked out of junior high
But smarter than anyone there
Spent his life readin’ and writin’
And fightin’ some ghost on
His mind
Spoiled rotten as a kid
Grandma was to blame
Grew up as a man
Expecting the world
To give him his due
Taught himself piano
Could play like Errol Garner
Banged on those keys like
Beating the devil to the mat
Married my sister’s mother
Treated her less than hospitable
Did most of his dirty work
In the cover of night
Left them for the Big Apple
Bright lights and false fame
Mesmerized by dice games
3 card molly and the like
Came back to Brotherly Love
Cuz grandma needed him
Met my mother
All four eleven of her
Had more heart than
Any hoodlum could stand
Then came me
Born in the house of Cancer
First male progeny
Became the namesake
The heir apparent
Of something I wasn’t
Made to be
My pop called me strange
Peculiar in essence
I had no desire
To live up
To his presence
I may have his name
But I’m me
He didn’t understand my
Mind
Or why I wasn’t him
He never did understand
Not even on his deathbed
And I wasn’t there when
He succumbed to death’s
Embrace
I wanted to be there
But it was fast and
Unrelenting
Too late for him
Too late for me
I loved him
Even when he
Didn’t understand
Oh, my. Robert, I say this with utmost honesty- I never find poetry I connect with. There has to be a certain inconsistent kind of melody with the words and jagged intensity with the meaning for me to really ‘get it’ and you delivered, brother. I connected with this, and I respect you for that.
Write on.
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Thank you, Katie. I really appreciate that. I have done my job when people can connect with what I’m saying. Thank you again.
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This was really powerful, Robert.
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Thank you Andra
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Wow I was swept away by your descriptions of your father. Heart-wrenching and beautiful, Robert.
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Thank you Christy. I’m really glad you liked it.
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Very fine writing Robert, stirring and a little heartbreaking. Good stuff!
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Thanks Heart.
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Lovely emotional expression Robert. It comes from the soul, I could feel your words. Very moving.
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Thank you Deb. I’m really glad you liked it. I had to get that out.
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You’re very welcome. I’m glad you got it out. It’s so freeing to express such emotion. It’s needed for soul freedom. I’m glad you could release that, the more the better for your being. It’s so wonderful for you. 🙂
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Sometimes it’s too late to say the things we want, or to let others know how we feel. Sometimes, it’s better to say nothing at all. And sometimes, we can say it all with a poem.
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Thank you Lorraine. That says it all.
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Striking at the heart of many a boys lives, Robert. To not be like those you look up to is a grand challenge.
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Yes Indeed.
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Very moving Robert.
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Thank you Vashti.
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I think all of us either try to emulate or be the complete opposite of our parents (especially the one who was supposed to be our example). I liked the rhythm & honest emotions in this poem.
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Thank you Samantha. I’m glad you like it.
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