Papa
c. 1938
I knew what I wanted
should please his
long suffering pride
a subtle gray stripe
sharply creased
continental lapels
wine hand-rolled silk
knotted neat after
fashion of Windsor
white broadcloth
crisp collared and
cuffed with old gold
he looked handsome
again as he did
back in ’38 married
three years with my
sister already the
light of his life my
brother and I yet
unmade by his finely
worked fatherhood
now he appeared a
restored work of art
as though none of his
fifty year crippling
deforming disease
ever happened
if you only will let it
the coffin can do that
ennoble the ultimate
portrait sculpt health
from cold marble
of indifferent death
the clothes made the
man and the man
made the life and the
death made for final
relief that allowed
him the hint of a
satisfied smile all my
heart ever wanted
for him just for him
Poesy plus Polemics 
Poignant and sad, with pride. Brilliant as ever. 🙂
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appreciate that, jo
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What can one say about this? A cocktail of emotions mixed and served up by a master of his profession.
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he’s always in my thoughts
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Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER.
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appreciate the reblog
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A wonderful poem Paul beautifully written and very emotional for me. I was particularly moved by the reference to him looking like the fifty year long disease had never happened. Clearly your father was who he was despite his disease and its so easy to rationalise this and say “yes, Im still the same person, Im still who I was before all this ravaged my body”, but I don’t feel anything like I was before, or as someone reminded me once, I don’t feel anything like the image I had of myself. Disease does change us though and I once wrote a poem which said that I don’t see my body as a bonus. After all we were given one, and to see and feel it crumbling away is indescribable. I dont want to only look like me before all this when Im dead but I guess that is how it will be. These are the thoughts your poem evoked for me.
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my heart goes out to you
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Such a deep emotion beautifully penned.
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thank you dearly
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Beautiful. Sad. Respectful. x
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sincerely appreciate that
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Very moving. Thanks so much for sharing this.
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he’s always on my mind
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You do this so well, Paul–reverent love, tribute. I hadn’t thought, before, that a coffin could ennoble.
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ordinarily I’d agree, but in his case – the peace that death gave him was remarkable to see
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It made me think about when my dad passed–he did look peaceful and noble, handsome at the funeral; but the whole thing seemed kind of surreal–his bout with cancer and subsequent death coincided with the final days of my marriage, and divorce. So I was much at sea, drowning in loss with no rescue in sight.
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Poignantly written, Paul. with so much love for the old man.
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he is always in my heart
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Hi Paul. Thank you for liking ‘ Passion and Eruption!’ Best Wishes. The Foureyed Poet.
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you’re welcome, Malc
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That is incredibly moving. I am honored that you liked my small piece about the visual aspects of poetry.
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thank you most kindly
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Pingback: Dressing Grief | Those Witty Brits
A moving tribute. How hard to see a man suffer for 50 years! Powerful poem, as always!
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we play the cards we are dealt
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Nice conveyance of feelings Paul. I really enjoyed it. Beautiful imagery. Thank you for sharing.:)
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appreciate that very much
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You poem touched my heart in many ways. I lost my father, brother to devastating illnesses . When seeing them in their coffin for the first time, I was shocked to see how young and refreshed they appeared to be; a far cry from long suffering souls before their deaths. They had that look of “final relief’. A heart rendering write!
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deeply appreciate your thoughtful comments
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Beautiful. Thank you.
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deeply appreciate that
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A lovely tribute.
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deeply appreciate that
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🙂
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This is so beautiful…this poem has move me to tears…you do write beautifully.
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I deeply appreciate your words
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happy to be the 100th person to like this wonderful poem, very vivid, capturing both father and son in just a few words…and i might add, lightly, the family.
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I’m honored to have your centenary comment
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:-))
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Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
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The hardest part of saying goodbye is to treat the body with the same respect as in life. My mother told us exactly what she wished to be dressed in to meet my father again and being able to honour those wishes made it easier to say goodbye. Lovely poem Paul
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I’m pleased to know you understand
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Words married right.
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so pleased that it worked for you
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This one went right to my heart, and came obviously right from yours. A beautiful tribute.
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deeply appreciated
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Paul, your words gift new life to your papa as the loving actions did his end. I see two worthy men. No finer clothes.
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he was, as we say, the real deal
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I don’t feel that my words can do this piece justice. Perhaps knowing that I am left without words but with sentiment and a warm heart, is enough.
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it is more than enough – your comment touches me deeply
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Wow Paul. You looked at a man and wrote of a soul. Beautiful
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thanks kindly
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This is beautiful and so full of love.
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it’s how I remember it
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