Dad was seventy-two when he died,
fifty when I was born.
Two older brothers and I drove to Gloucester
to tell his Aunt Cora.
She raised him.
Dad never knew his parents.
I never knew Aunt Cora.
She pointed to a tall oak tree
and said: Planted by your pa when a boy.
To me the tree was a mile high
and would stand forever--
unless the state runs a road through here,
said Aunt Cora.
We talked about my memories of Dad:
coat pocket filled with penny candy,
Sunday buckwheat cakes
stacked high in blackstrap molasses,
dime store glasses
that almost always seemed to see,
trick knee that squeaked when he walked,
afternoon naps
in the front porch swing,
the rolled up newspaper that told me
when to shut up,
the cheap cigar he hated
to throw away,
the phrase: you’re crazy as a loon, boy,
or when angry: oh the dog’s hind leg!
his best blue serge suit
that I wore in the senior class play,
his dollar pocket watch
hanging on the wall above my desk.
I never saw Aunt Cora again.
I wonder if I’ve outlived Dad’s tree.
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yes I would if I were you, go see!
Loved The Write Gene
Peace, Love & Poetry
Vickie
Cryssa
Carole~
You present the branches of this tree with rich detail for our delight and for our contemplation, branches most of us can identify with and appreciate, and both you and tree will always be with us.
John
Myrna
Blessings J'nia
As my late wife would say, "This has to be true, because no one could dream that up." I believe there is a full cup of truth in this, because it is You, word for word, and it is beautifully told by the Den Master! With a tear in each smiling eye, - Bill
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :(
I miss my daddy too: in May, it will be one year since he died! :(
Newfie Hugs, Rose
This is a fine poem, bringing the past into the sunlight again through use of your colorful poetic verses, by way of which those old memories of our most loved and feared folks would otherwise languish untold and forgotten. Thanks, Gene!
Rockie
I bet the tree is still there;-)
Love,
Eileen
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.