Dad's Poem

Marcia K. Scanlon 1959 (Victoria,British Columbia)

Ballad

Dad's Poem

Bobby was Irish to the core
Like good old 'County Monaghan' lore

Of rugged cliffs and ocean air
Filled with spirit of none-to-care

His ready smile and pat on back
Surely gave you quite a wack

A hearty laugh might ensue
Of which you were a chosen few

I think he thought he was Bad Bad Leroy Brown
Baddest man in the whole damn town

And that could very well be true
Because my mother was always calling, 'Bob where are you!!?"

He loved that song, with volume blasting
A memory we kids have,forever-lasting

Stuffed in the Buick, reveling in the fun
That was Dad,second-to-none

But all kidding aside
You were in terrible trouble if you lied

A Judge by profession
Certainly made for an interesting confession

One that you avoided like the plague
Dare you leave out any detail and be vague

But he had a heart of gold
Would give the shirt off his back, truth be told

He was banned from the kitchen as he made such a mess
Splattering eggs everywhere, much to my mother's duress

He ran away with glee
To find his book and settle thee

Charles Dickens was a fave
Which he kept in his man cave

But truly a man with good intentions
Even though he fell short with his procrastination's

We will remember him as a happy guy
And hope that he is still flying high

In the green, green rolling hills of home
I hope he gets to read this poem.

About this poem

This poem is about Robert Louis ( Bob) Monaghan, my Dad who passed away on January,29th,2022. My sister created a small book called Bob's Shorts...as in short stories because he wrote them over the years, and she wanted a compilation of them for people to read. She knows I write poetry and so she asked me if I would write something about Dad.Well, I took to the task and had a great time creating this for him. I think Bob / Dad would have laughed and loved it.

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Written on February 05, 2022

Submitted by PonteQueen on December 15, 2023

: 1:24 min read
: 142 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	AA BB CC DD EE DD FF GG HH GG II JJ KK LL MM XD NN XX
Closest metre	Iambic pentameter
Characters	1,357
Words	280
Stanzas	18
Stanza Lengths	2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2

Full analysis for Dad's Poem »

Marcia K. Scanlon

I have been writing poems over the years, as early as first grade where I won a class contest. My topic was 'Lollipops'!! Where I got that idea I will never know! But my mother loved it and kept it in a box in the far reaches of the basement. When in doubt, keep it! I write when I am impassioned by an event or a person. Most of the great loves of my life have a poem written about them, that settles it at about 1,000. Ha ha just kidding. They are fun to write and pull at your heartstrings and a huge sense of accomplishment ensues, and then especially if they do come well received. I hope everyone enjoys my poem about my Irish Dad, he was a real character and a good man. Thank you for reading it! more…

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Symmetry60
Your heart and spirit are your dad's legacy, Marcia. Dad is proud that he's raised a daughter willing and able to create such a wonderful elegy for and about him. Don't forget to continue to talk to dad because we both know he is listening. Be proud of your gift. :-) more »
LikeReply4 months ago
- PonteQueen
  Hi good day! Happy New Year 2024! I wish you the best.Thank you for tuning in here to my poem,Dads Poem.He was very likable and congenial.An avid reader.He loved a Labatts Blue and a Book!! My mother made him stay in his basement man cave,where he stashed all his books.He loved it down there.One of the family oddities! But thank you for your insightful words on my poem.I had a great time writing it.My brother got mad at me about the procrastination part,but it was true.It was meant to depict who he was.I read your 'Soldier',amazing !! You are a 5 Star Poet!!! lol more »
  LikeReply 14 months ago
Giselavigil
Your Dad sounds like he was a good guy. Great tribute to him.
LikeReply4 months ago
- PonteQueen
  Hello,Merry Christmas! Yes Dad was a fun and stern person all at the same time.He loved to laugh,reading was his favorite and he kept his short stories in a box my sister found after he passed.Thank you!
  LikeReply 14 months ago
AIDA
I absolutely loved reading your poem, 'Dad's Poem'! The way you beautifully described Bobby's Irish heritage, his playful nature, and his love for Bad Bad Leroy Brown was truly captivating. Your words painted a vivid picture of his larger-than-life personality and brought back memories of joy and laughter. I particularly appreciated how you balanced the lighthearted moments with the acknowledgment of Bobby's profession as a Judge, showing his serious side as well. The inclusion of his passion for Charles Dickens added depth to his character, and I could feel the warmth and love you had for your dad shining through every line. The ending was heartfelt and poignant, leaving me with a sense of hope and a smile on my face. Thank you for sharing this delightful and heartwarming tribute to your dad! more »
LikeReply4 months ago
AIDA
I absolutely loved your poem 'Dad's Poem'! It effortlessly paints a vivid and colorful picture of a man who is full of life and charm. Your use of humor and sentimentality is really touching; many of the lines genuinely made me smile. The way you seamlessly integrated song lyrics with your original writing adds an unexpected and delightful layer to the poem. It truly captured the enduring memory that many children hold of their fun-loving and boisterous fathers.

You've got quite a knack for rhythm and rhyme, making this poem a pleasure to read. I could be completely absorbed in the audio imagery you've created, like being stuffed in that Buick or the clatter and mess in the kitchen. You’ve portrayed your dad as someone who lived life to the fullest and was full of love and warmth, someone everyone wanted to be around.

In terms of suggestions, I'd suggest playing a little more with metaphorical language to enrich the descriptive element of your writing. When referencing the Irish character, maybe more specifically linking this to aspects of your dad's personality might add another layer of depth. Also, there's a delightful sense of humor running through the poem - it'd be nice to see more of this.

You may want to check the poem for punctuation here and there, and watch out for slight inconsistencies in punctuation and style. For example, after the line 'Bob where are you!!?' you can adjust the punctuation for better flow.

Overall, I'd say your poem is a wonderful tribute that masterfully preserves the cherished memories of your father. His lively spirit truly shines through your words. Happy writing! more »
LikeReply4 months ago

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