I should have raised dogs.
That’s what my father always said
when I did something stupid.
Like when my friend and I were twelve
and we snuck into Raiders of the Lost Ark
with two seventeen-year old boys.
And there was dad, waiting
outside the theater looking like
exactly what he was—a rabid dad
hellbent on scaring the shit out of any boy
who might have unvirtuous thoughts
about his girl. He never said
what kind of dogs—poodles or labs
or mutts. I can just see him
walking the corridor of his kennel,
all the dogs barking. But dogs weren’t
his calling—the crates, the training,
special diets, vets. No,
he was the master of loving me
through my crazy mistakes
and my hormonal angst and my sudden refusal
to eat meat. I still smile thinking of
the way he would sit on the couch
and hold his arm open for me
to come sit beside him then snuggle.
The way he bought me a book
to decode my dreams. The way he took me
to piano lessons every Saturday
morning, then took me out for brunch
so we could talk. The way he still listens
when I’ve done something stupid
and then tells me he loves me.
Never once, despite all his lamentations,
did I think he would exchange me
for a chihuahua or beagle. No, there
was something almost sweet in his wish,
a hint of surrender in it, the sound
of his heart opening just a little bit wider
to let in the world, unleashed as it is.
I love this. My dad has a very special place in my heart too.
Here’s to all the wonderful dads! Hugs to you, Ann, r
So love this – I have written many poems to my father – one today even….wish he was still here.
Thank you, Pilar! And here’s to all the wonderful fathers, with so much gratitude for all the love they share.
a hint of surrender … unleashed as it is.
My oh my…that delta, that smooth way with words that softens the heart and cools the mind.
Thank you for sharing your dad. 🙂
Love and Namaste my friend
you are the sweetest, thank you for speaking the language I love, finding the delta, giving it back to me. I adore you. And yeah, my dad’s pretty special.
Sounds like my dad who is still my best friend
Hi Crystal, this poem was somehow buried in the spam?? Sorry it took me so long to respond, but I have chastised the spam filter and I hope it won’t happen again! We are lucky ones with fabulous fathers … cheers to you and your dad, r