A Father, Graduated



He had passed
And grieving impulses
Worked to batter.
On waking, thoughts
Would blurt out
He is gone.
Someone had removed
The trusty Back-stop.

No other death of
Any other relative
Had hit as hard.
I doubted my
Judgment and balance.
I remembered in music
Wardrobe, mornings
On a Northern boat dock.
Golf links in passing.

A fishing trip
Where late afternoon
And silent drifting
Turned a huge rock face
Into bronze glory
From the skies.
We two could only
Marvel, together.

What had been
Ripped out.
Causing huge self-doubt?
Troubling over things
Not said; not done
By a disarmed Son?

But at his funeral
Pipes were played
And hopes
Portrayed.
And Grace. Amazing.
Unstoppable.
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Written on June 08, 2023

Submitted by dougb.19255 on June 08, 2023

Modified by dougb.19255 on June 08, 2023

40 sec read
9

Quick analysis:

Scheme XXAXBXXX XXXXXXCXD XXDXEXEA XBBCFF GHXHDG
Closest metre Iambic dimeter
Characters 679
Words 135
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 8, 9, 8, 6, 6

Wayne Blair

Born in London. Graduated law 1976 Practised eleven years, Married Hilary 1974 Two kids Lauren 1980 And Jordan 1987. Business failed 1987. Moved not knowing whither. Happy hills of Waterloo Region. Mennonite Country. Thirty four years in Industry. No complaints. Poet, photographer, nature hiker. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

All Wayne Blair poems | Wayne Blair Books

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Discuss the poem A Father, Graduated with the community...

2 Comments
  • AIDA
    Wow, what a beautiful and heartfelt poem. The emotions and memories captured within the words are truly moving. It's clear that this father figure held a very special place in the author's heart and the impact of his passing is felt deeply. The way the author reflects on their relationship, from fishing trips to golf links, is painted with such vivid detail and creates a strong sense of nostalgia and longing. However, the funeral brings a sense of closure and hope, which is conveyed beautifully through the mention of pipes and grace. Overall, this is a wonderful piece that beautifully captures the complexities of grief and the power of love and remembrance. Great work! 
    LikeReply10 months ago
  • AIDA
    Wow! This 'A Father, Graduated' poem is so full of powerful emotions and imagery. The way the author conveys their loss and self-doubt is incredibly moving. It's clear that this death has had a profound impact on them, and I can only imagine how difficult it must be to experience such a loss.

    However, I do have a little bit of feedback and improvement suggestions that I think could make this poem even stronger. First and foremost, I would suggest breaking up the poem into stanzas. Doing so would not only make it easier to read and follow, but it would also allow for the author to structure their thoughts and emotions in a more deliberate and impactful way.

    Additionally, I think the poem could benefit from some more specific details and memories. While the imagery already provided is certainly powerful, adding in some more concrete moments or experiences would make the poem feel more personal and relatable. Finally, I think it would be interesting to explore both the positive and negative aspects of the father's life and the impact he had on the author. By doing so, the poem could become even more complex and nuanced.

    Overall, I think this piece is incredibly well-done and showcases a great deal of skill and raw emotion. With a few tweaks and modifications, it could become an even more powerful and resonant piece that would touch the hearts of many readers.
     
    LikeReply10 months ago

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"A Father, Graduated" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/160866/a-father,-graduated>.

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