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daddy's father
by Charlie Morganwhen i was my daddy's father and watching him die
(i'll say to megrandson), times were tough and hard;
daddy's rosy, fallow cheek placed like God's kiss
on his face for years of hard work and worry.
now, as his 82nd year crawls into his hospital bed,
his shallow breaths rattle up out of his throat,
rasping a dying man's dreams to carry into death.
daddy. a simply complicated man who was worthy.
holding him upright, the man who taught me to walk,
his eyes looking into the shine of Jesus' open door,
i was the fragile one, holding fraility in my hands.
his hands resembled Christ's, beaten by a Life lived. 03/17/2008 Posted on 03/17/2008
Copyright © 2026 Charlie Morgan
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Jeffrey Parren on 03/17/08 at 06:04 PM Great imagery and presentation of the circularity of life...~JPP |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 03/17/08 at 09:25 PM Very nicel done Charlie. I love the line "now, as his 82nd year crawls into his hospital bed,". I see it coming... I see it coming. Lovely! |
| Posted by Keith McFarlane on 03/19/08 at 07:42 PM chaz, this is very, very different from your more frequent form, and very personal -- intensely touching. Poetry hits the toughest subjects hardest, and with this one the theme is uncommonly universal. "rasping a dying man's dreams to carry into death" -- this line is haunting -- most of us will be on one side of this rasp or other, with the time to consider that inevitable end/continuance/whatever one happens to believe, and to ruminate upon the dreams dying with us. irony spills out of the "fragile one" line, again striking those universal human chords. Splendid, searching and striking work. -K |
| Posted by Jane E Pearce on 03/20/08 at 12:05 AM Very lovely words and memorable. |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 03/20/08 at 03:17 AM The phrase - "daddy's father" is perfect. You lend such dignity to this difficult transition many of us experience. |
| Posted by Laurie Blum on 03/23/08 at 12:12 AM Chaz you always have a wonderful way of making me see quiet everyday love in a more meaningful way. This is beautiful and heartfelt. |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 03/23/08 at 02:03 PM "beaten by a Life lived"
This, a thundering moment of this wonderful pondering poem. I am right inside this as I read it. *Lovely Heartful Moving Wonderful* |
| Posted by Angela Nuzzo on 03/26/08 at 08:14 AM Charlie, that last line is AMAZING! It's a painting in itself. Nicely done. |
| Posted by Tony Whitaker on 03/27/08 at 08:34 AM Absolutely beautiful and moving.I miss my father as well
You nailed it with that last line:
"his hands resembled Christ's, beaten by a Life lived."
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| Posted by Julie Adams on 03/29/08 at 03:28 PM each stanza climbs inside you, like breath, fills you, your heart, takes you into this moment to share it, as we all do at one time or another...choice imagery abounds, building quietly with each stanza...lines 1,5, and 6 are amazing, and the last stanza is entirely exquisite...a lovely tribute, an awe-inspiring poem, a vivid picture impressed upon the mind...peace, jewels |
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