Dear Father,
I can't help but wonder of your thoughts
since you've journeyed so far.
Has it changed you; are you slow to anger,
slow to find fault? Judge with a softer heart?
I'm curious the things you've learned,
assume you're finally willing to listen,
not caught up in rules you can't explain.
I'm truly joyous, imagining you embracing
such elation, blue eyes clear of disappointment,
perhaps seeing me for the first time.
I sound as if I'm criticizing,
but it's more a pleading, a youthful desire
still nestled deeply to be free of insecurities.
Perhaps it's not too late.
Until I too close my eyes for the last time,
know that you are now in my prayers.
It's a good place for us to start.
Your daughter,
Margaret Bednar, March 1, 2018
Linked up with "dVerse Poets Pub - Meeting the Bar - with a letter"
Also linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - "Dear" Poems"
22 comments:
Being in one's prays in a good place to start. I liked these lines: "blue eyes clear of disappointment,
perhaps seeing me for the first time"
Goodness a moving letter. Hopefully he is where he is most happy and blessed. I think its never to late to start and improve on family relationships.
An incredibly touching and moving letter. To be truly seen with love and approval by a parent, to feel one has not loved up to their standards...heartbreaking. But the last stanza and line so fully speaks of love...anytime that is now is a good time and place to start acceptance and love and improve a relationship. Beautiful letter.
Keeping one in your prayers show the desire to connect beyond words. This is heartfelt and made me feel sad, yet hopeful.
Oh I can truly understand the difficulty of writing this. I know that my sister must feel like this. I always had some approval (or absence of scorn) but it was harder for her...
A difficult letter to write, but so moving. These lines reveal so much:
'I'm truly joyous, imagining you embracing
such elation, blue eyes clear of disappointment,
perhaps seeing me for the first time'
and
'know that you are now in my prayers.
It's a good place for us to start.'
I too wrote a letter once to my father (not on dverse). So sad that clarity comes with the grave. Prayers are a good place, always!
Oh Margaret this is beautiful and so deeply heartfelt. It makes me want to write to my dad now deceased for 20 years....I believe the soul is always learning even when it leaves the body.
Donna@LivingFromHappiness
This very personal letter touches the heart. It seems you have forgiven him... and loving sentiment endures.
A beautiful expression of unconditional love and your willingness to never give up on the possibility of change. Maybe it's true, that our perspective changes when our souls pass on to another realm. Sadly, your words resonate deeply with me as well.
Very touching and sad, love your poem
Mary (cactus haiku)
On second reading, I can find hope in it this time, along with the sadness, the prayers.
This is very moving. One hopes that, after death, they see their lives with clarity. I imagine that causes some regret. I think they then look at us with newly awakened eyes.
Ah, how poignant!
To begin a new relationship in a prayerful phase is i think wise and loving. Surely his nlue eyes will be clear and easy now.
Such a soulful poem Margaret
Much🌼love
This is so poignant. Sigh.. perhaps it's true, our perspective changes when our souls pass on to another realm.
Certainly, a letter to your childhood self and your adult self as well as to your father, and one which many can relate to. Your honesty and wish for healing are very moving. Thanks. K.
This is a wonderful letter, Margaret. One that I can never write, not even to self now that Dad is gone. He never apologized for his treatment of me as a lad and I won't forgive him, wouldn't, until he acknowledged. If we meet in Heaven there may be a procedure there set up by the Great Arbitrator/Mediator to deal with such things. My hope.
..
My father died when I was sixteen ~ suddenly. I wish I had really "known" him. Good, bad, all. Your poem is lovely, sad, poignant, Margaret.
A very good starting place, indeed.
Sometimes these rocky family relationships trouble a person more after the other has passed away. I am glad a sort of peace has descended for the speaker now.
Oh, there is such pain in unresolved, but it sounds like you are finding peace, and praying peace for your father.
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