It’s early and I step into emotion.
A dozen years laid down and tears
that burned off so many sunrises ago
now build up in cloud filled memories.
The precipitation begins and I shuffle
through all those that have cast their
shadow on me in memorable ways.
He was one who smiled half way
and laughed sideways and I
wish I could tell him half
was enough and side was a way.
He always was self defacing
and ended conversations in
apologies.
As the tears fell onto
a shadow I realized how translucent
I really am without him…how transparent
life really is when the sun pastes a stick
figure across the stepping-stones.
It was a rainbow that appeared within
the tears that promise came heavy
and every life lays down as a stepping
stone of formation.
………………………………..
Remembering my dad today.
Gerald the Writer 
oh jerry – what a beautiful tribute for your dad and many more.. fighting tears..
A beautiful tribute!
heart felt write man…hard to go every time to the cemetary, but so glad i do once i go…
As the tears fell onto
a shadow I realized how translucent
I really am without him…
Nicely done Jerry. Memory lane can be such a narrow road when suddely you stand alone and yesterday is too far removed from your calendar. Good tribute to your father, a special man i’m sure…and you wear his legacy well.
Thank you
‘Shadows and Stepping Stones’…
“The precipitation begins and I shuffle
through all those that have cast their
shadow on me in memorable ways.”….what remarkable imagery…
Your poem is the most touching tribute and honor to your father a son could ever write…I must say tears are flowing, but in a beautiful and warm way…I am honored to have been fortunate enough to find your poem so touchingly and elegantly written…as there is no better writer than our hearts…
Again, your poem is absolutely beautiful…a perfect poem indeed…I feel as if I knew your father…especially how he was self-defacing and would always walk away apologizing…what a beautiful person…
sincerely,
Thank you Janice
He was one who smiled half way
and laughed sideways and I
wish I could tell him half
was enough and side was a way.
He always was self defacing
and ended conversations in
apologies.
I had to pick out my favourite words in this poem because it touched my heart deeply. Incredible words and so beautifully expressed emotion.
x LM x
those were my favorite lines too…thanks.
I don’t think there is a line in here that I couldn’t comment on. Very moving and heartfelt. You did your dad justice in this write.
Reblogged this on Gerald the Writer and commented:
Each Memorial day I visit my dad’s marker at sunrise with any of my brothers who are able to make it.
That is wonderful. This needs to be published.
Thank you. I am slowly submitting poems to journals and such. Getting my poetic feet wet as it were.
Very beautifully written, Jerry. My favorite lines were the same as Leah’s. This aches to be published.
Any suggestions as to where to submit it? Thank you Wanda.
Your beautifully written words have brought his half smile and his sideways laugh to the forefront of my memory. Thank you for sharing your soul, Jerry.
Thanks for stopping by Diane. Thank you for your encouraging words.