Love

Tags

children, couples, family, life, love, parents, poem, poetry

 

Birds sang out of step
occasioning a whistle
cattle foraged on forth
in touch with morning dew
a light breeze met tall trees
above his morning brew
as dogs howled in the distance
angling for their stew

 

 
The light soon met moving clouds
above the mountains beyond
before blue sky appeared
the night now all but gone
just as the papers pages
began to turn one on one
two small feet appeared
beneath his smiling son

 

Then as the sun shone forth
she suddenly glanced his way
reminding of the warmth
that greeted him each day
a weakness within his heart
echoed through to his spine
loving her so much
as fingers intertwine

eating quietly

Tags

children, family, life, lonely, men, parents, poem, poetry

The photos leaned awkwardly
unable to stand up straight
her shower fell in gusts
distant toward the night
where flying foxes confused
the autumn evening chill
they needed to move north now
far from his lonely hill

The children sat eating quietly
attempting to read their books
as planes flew south
gently overhead
he could feel his body itching
anxious to get away
as she drew the shower curtain back
maybe now he’d stay

Her hair was washed and easy
sheltering her grin
flung open at uncertain intervals
dancing upon her skin
yet out within his night
the stars did swathe and sway
tempting him to enter
asking him to play

Should he move with the wind?
Or walk on back inside?
Meet the night time traffic?
Or forever lay still
and subside?
I think I’ll walk away
He said now to himself
the night time sky looks beautiful
I’ll keep it to myself

Trade me now for then

Tags

daughter, father, love, parenthood, parents, poem, poetry, Relationships

He needed to reach out
yet I was distant somewhat removed
I couldn’t empathise
connect nor remove
myself from my own thoughts
to engage at one with him
perhaps I was selfish
alone within my swim

Upon reflection I was young
immature at best
his need for me unnoticed
by my solitary quest
to build a wall around me
to fence myself deep in
give me my time over
speak to me again

I’m here for you my father
trade me now for then

don’t go

Tags

boys, dad, goodbye, love, parents, poem, poetry, storm

He cried
following me to the gate
bottom lip speaking
for a sadness from within
the car lights shining briefly
on a solemn wave goodbye
his feet stuck deep in sorrow
not turning
just asking why

Why would my Dad leave me
on a dark and stormy night
don’t go Dad
he’d whispered
holding on with all his might
the car lights only shone forth
never shining back
yet I can still see him standing motionless
don’t go Dad
please come back

beyond the birds

Tags

boys, dad, life, love, mom, parents, poem, poetry, Relationships, summer

Buses then cars clattered on by
Saturday mornings drifted on
the sun wandered slowly
beyond the birds
over the mountain toward spoken our words

Where in the distance I could hear your voice
softly spoken
afar yet near
pinning your hair behind the ear
where our little boy nestled to whisper your name
Mom
he said,
Is summer here now?

I could hear but faintly your answer move on by
Perhaps little one
if not today
it will be soon
gathering up the sun
and circling the moon

Either way
I’ll still love just the same
If only Saturdays stayed all morning
and the future never came

goodbye

Tags

boys, children, dad, parents, poem, poetry

You breathed softly onto my neck
snuggling in tight to capture warmth
I walked out as the morning approached
shortly after two tiny footsteps
pitter pattered their way behind me
don’t go Dad
its not morning yet

Driving away
to sad to cry
or wave goodbye
but you waved
you always wave
goodbye

Crying beneath my skin

Tags

grieving, hugs, illness, loss, love, parents, poem, poetry, sickness

The doctor called
my results were in
dancing between shadows
I needed to drive in
the waiting room empty
his face soon appeared
bereft of a smile
opening the results
eye to eye contact
all but disappeared

Now turning toward me
the moment I had feared
your x-ray was clear
though we found something else
sliding through my veins
blood draining from thyself
pale
ghostlike
sinking toward the floor
avoiding patients within the car park
clutching at the door

Dropping my keys
the distant thunder roared
my life flashed before me
as the rain began to pour
windscreen wipers active
entering my drive
hugging my sweet son
I needed to stay alive

Empty shoes sat quietly
aside our weathered mat
as we made our passage in
his kiss
his hug
his greeting
crying beneath my skin
our love
my loss
the meeting

Where are you boy?

Tags

boy, dad, found, hide and seek, lost, love, moments, parents, playing, poem, poetry, Relationships, time, together

I counted to fifty
as you ran to hide again
throughout the extensive garden
neath the trees above the Glen

the sound of feet upon gravel
gave a clue to your  whereabouts
though time had soon elapsed
as I panicked beginning to shout

“Where are you boy?
Come out now?”
yet your face did not appear
running though the stone opening
my feelings turning to fear

from behind me whispering “Dad”
unaware of all the fright
“I was hiding beneath the bushes Dad
you passed me earlier,twice”

holding my warm found treasure
as droplets dispersed from his nose
with the cool evening now upon us
hugging him from top to toe

my little boy was all I had left
in this mixed up cove called life
his intermittent disappearance
cutting me like a knife

as the gravel met our feet
upon our even, brisk walk home
wanting to capture the moment
me
with my boy
on our own

two girls

Tags

boys, children, girls, love, memories, parenthood, parents, poem, poetry

Two girls walked
barefoot down my street
through the dust
sliding their feet
lifting their dresses
avoiding the dirt
laughing at the boys
who’d smile and flirt
I think they were sisters
maybe just friends
I don’t really remember
way back then
I know one was my girlfriend
soon to be wife
now she’s your mother
the love of your life

Soon you are off to school
upon your child’s seat
there’s not much dirt left now
within our windswept street

follow me

Tags

children, love, parents, poem, poetry

I asked you to follow me
you held up your tiny hand
placed it in mine
we walked to the yard
rode our bikes
sprayed seeds onto the footpath
threw rose petals onto the grass
sat on the front steps together

you grew older
you asked me to follow you
you walked fast now
away from the past
I could not last
I so desperately wanted to follow
you