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A Belated Praise
by Glenn CurrierWhat reversal of prevailing winds
blew from the northeast
dropping this tall stranger
on the oak-lined banks
of southern Louisiana’s
brown bayous?
What god chose to astonish
those Cajun women
with charm and good looks
of this yankeeman
disarming their caution
burrowing into their hearts?
What fortune to have as a dad
a man so rich in commitment
to his children and wife
so enlivened with humor
unabashed optimism
and unassuming grit.
He gave me many gifts:
the ability to weep and laugh
a love for wood
and respect for tools
an embrace of hard work
seeing a problem as a dare.
I misjudged his judgment
and saw too clearly
his shortcomings
only later in life knowing
his great pride in his kids
and belief in their futures.
Only in this sixth decade
have I been able to see him
as a fallible man like me
whose best was enough
to thrust his children
into long fruitful lives.
Bless you dear Daddy
on the great cloudthrone
you never sought on Earth
accept this belated paean
to your life and love
from a grateful son. 06/21/2009 Author's Note: Although I am not physically a father, I am grateful for this Father's day and the inspiration to write and dedicate this paean/praise to my Daddy.
Posted on 06/21/2009
Copyright © 2024 Glenn Currier
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 06/22/09 at 11:58 AM This is a wonderful, well-written tribute to your Father. My Father has also passed on.I miss him so much. I really enjoyed this and thanks for writing and sharing it. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 06/22/09 at 02:41 PM Wonderful trubite Glenn to your dad. I saw quite a bit of my own father in your poem also as in this stanza: misjudged his judgment
and saw too clearly
his shortcomings
only later in life knowing
his great pride in his kids
and belief in their futures.
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| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 06/22/09 at 07:38 PM A wonderful, wonderful tribute to your father! Couldn't have given him a better gift if he were still on Earth. |
| Posted by Laurie Blum on 06/24/09 at 06:47 PM This is a beautiful Father's Day poem. Lovingly written and sentimental. Nice. |
| Posted by Kate Demeree on 06/25/09 at 03:12 PM Wow! This blew me away, what a wonderful poem! Brings tears to my eyes Glenn... Beautiful! |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 06/30/09 at 11:42 AM Glenn, this is as beautiful and heart warming tribute to a father as can possibly be written. |
| Posted by A. Paige White on 03/05/10 at 06:26 PM What a beautiful tribute! You bring those gifts you prize to life with your remembrance. |
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