Mommy Why Did Daddy Die
Mommy why did daddy die?
He was doing something
terribly important sweetheart
You won't understand now as you
are only three,but when you grow up
you will be proud. Your daddy was a hero.
But Mommy, daddy promised he would be back
in time for my birthday, why did he lie
Oh baby doll, daddy did not lie.
You see when daddy left he had every
intention of being home for your birthday,
he would not of missed it for all the gold in
the world. Daddy did not have a choice, he did
not choose to die.
But Mommy when will daddy come home?
Sweetie, I know you are too young to know what
death is or what it means when someone dies,
and it breaks my heart to tell you, but daddy is not
coming home, he is in heaven.
Mommy, can we go visit daddy in heaven tomorrow?
Mommy, why are you crying?
Mommy, I am sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry.
Mommy, are you crying because
you don't know how
to get to heaven,
that's okay we can ask for directions?
Princess, I am crying because I know
how very much your daddy loved you
and I know how much you love him.
Baby we will go visit daddy in heaven one day
and yes I know the way,
but we can't visit anytime soon.
Heaven is very far away.
But, daddy is here with us,
he is right here in your heart,
you are part of him,
that will never change.
Mommy, why did daddy die, please tell me?
Baby doll, we live in a country that stands for freedom.
Freedom to speak your mind,
freedom to worship the God of our beliefs,
freedom to be yourself without fear.
Freedom to dress as
we like,
freedom to be educated.
That freedom comes at a price,
your daddy paid that price.
Your daddy died protecting your freedom.
All of our freedom. Your daddy is a hero.
Mommy, is daddy your hero?
Oh yes, baby....yes, Daddy is my hero.
Mommy, daddy is my hero too!
*
Author notes
Written September 3rd, 2006
A contest entry
- Anything Goes.......But it has to have emotion by Nikki Rowles.
450 points, ended March 17, 2008, 70 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
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A great poem. I think the flow was a little off, the center alignment contributed to it.
It read more as a story than a poem.
But I could feel your emotion and it was really well written. congrats!
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He's my hero too....Heros' don't wear capes, they wear combat boots, and pay the ultimit price for our freedom that really isn't free
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I am crying
It is so hard to read poems like this or with this content because I have a three year old. I also have friend recently who lost her husband and is left to explain to her four kids where daddy is. I know there is a lot of anti war stuff out there today, but a three year old doesn't care or even understand that. She just wants to know her dad was a hero, we as people of the United States need to be convinced ourselves that our soldiers are heros despite our opinions, viewpoints and fault finding. It is a heart attitude and a choice to believe in our soldiers despite what we feel we know. None of that really matters because when they all come home I want to be cheering and supporting them no matter what. I for one am very proud of them and pray for them and wish them each a safe return.
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This is an absolutely amazing poem!!!!!!! I will applaud it no doubt... even when I have none left!!!!!!! You wrote an amazing poem here!!!!!!! I know I have already said it twice... but this is amazing!!!!!!! He is a hero... and pour girl... she lost her daddy so young!!!!!!! Great write!!!!!!! Rock On!!!!!!! Rock On!!!!!!!
xoxo
Meg
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excellent
i got goooosbumps.. through the WHOLE poem congrats for all the applaud its a perfectly meaning poe
:
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Goose Bump Endowing!
i got goosebumps the whole way through. i love how you made the childs speech i a lighter tone of blue whether you meant to or to, i think it added to it. i love this poem keep one like this and no one will be able to stop you! -
touching
oh my god! wow ! i love it! just wow! weeps -
excellent
this is very touching this is where I started to shed tears of sadness
Mommy, is daddy your hero?
Oh yes, baby....yes, Daddy is my hero.
Mommy, daddy is my hero too!
You are right it does come at a price my brothers was at war in the 60's right after I was born it last for a long time. i remember what went on at that time many tears were shed for others we knew who died for our freedom. this is an honor for all of those died for us. I cry tears of saddess i t touched my heart -
Bravo
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Thank you for writing this poem. It's beautiful.
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As my dad is in the army defending my little sisters' freedom, I am really touched by this poem. It reaches out. It is very well done.
Bravo! -
I am speechless. Five years on I still remember, I still feel, I still shed a tear, this year more than ever. I live in Australia but recently visited New York and Ground Zero. I too was compelled to write something in memory... (Five Yers on) I was humbled by what I saw. I was humbled by my surroundings. Yes he is a hero. To you, your child and to the world that I want to live in. He was truly great. I am humbled by your worlds.
You are truly gifted. Thank you for sharing this work. -
oh my word .. so good this poem .. really .. im at school, reading it .. and almost feel like crying .. now i really know why we take a moment to remember all those people who died .. anyways .. keep up the good work ! its really good !
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love it
i have a knot in my troat & a tear in my eye
you have a talent for provocing an emotion i really like it -
lol i did tht things, u get 40 points in total
i didnt hav enuf points last time i sed i wud do tht lol.
me-for-eternity -
Thank you fear-consumed, Was starting to think that everyone was thinking this poem was about war/freadom, was really regretting even putting that in the piece because it was causing everyone to miss the entire reason for the write. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comment. Is good to know that someone understood this piece as it was meant to be viewed.
God Bless, Suzi -
i m dumbstruck, no more words can tell waht is has done to me...
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everyone is entitled to their opinion, and everyone has their own beliefs. we may not all agree with the "patriotism" that is persued in the media about this war. regardless of what people say this man was a hero. he died for what he believed was freedom of his country. now we may not all believe this war is a war against freedom infact i am so very strongly against it. yet this poem really did move me. this poem is not ABOUT the war this poem is about the trials and tribulations that this family now has to go through because of the war.
what is this mother supposed to say? its all bullshit? its the presidents fault? is she supposed to set hate in her young childs heart over the death of their father? no she tells the truth the man was a hero because his bravery allowed him to join the army to fight for his country, it wasnt his choice to fight THIS war. SO in closing i believe what the mother told her child was correct and the truth. he did die for his country because he joined the army to do so and thats all he knew. he may not have known what war was going to come upon him. and even if he did he obviously believed he was doing the right thing that he was protecting his country. and thats all that matters in his and his familys hearts.
although i dont have the same beliefs as the mother i respect their beliefs as well. i really enjoyed this poem the emotion really poured through the words. i congratualte you on a GREAT write. -
I like it
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amazing
man thats amazing -
Blind Patriotism,
I'd like to start by saying sorry if this was indeed your husband dying and you had to go through the extremely heart wrenching act of telling a young child. noone should have to do this, and im extremly sorry if you had to.
that being said, the word that immediatly came to mind was 'tripe'. sorry, but it is. i am angry over this war and the war before and i will about the war after. this state will never end. and it IS just blind patriotism. the war has cost many more iraqi and afgan peoples lives than american and british, and sadly to say these also died for thier 'freedom'. freedom this war has brought is increased security legislation to limit civil liberties in order to curb terrorism. blantent human rights abuses for our 'freedom'. 14 permanent army bases in iraq, one of the largest oil producing countries in the world also helps us continue being 'free' at home. i have lost one freind in iraq, and have another stationed there. his death, his blood on a desert wall did not make me feel anymore free. -
I sat down with my husband Javier not to long ago and we added up all of our friends we lost in Iraq.. 33 Men.. Imagine the web of lives that have suffered because of Iraq.. I know it touched my own house. My husband was shot in Iraq Dec 1 2004 and just had his 8th surgery. Our lives will never be the same.
So Thank You to for seeing and knowing the cost of life.
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I have never been so moved, thankyou so much, you are brave and extremly talented. I wish you luck and my heart goes out to you.
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this is a good poem and was this true or not. good poem
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fucking awesome!
This poem brought tears to my eyes, it was a great poem and i loved it -
I have 3 members of my family in the armed services, one on active duty in Afghanistan. Recently, my brother-in-law (the one overseas) lost his best friend. His friend died in combat, and was decorated and buried in Arlington National Cemetery. My father was in attendance, and he spoke to the widow. The messages passed on to me will echo forever in my mind.
This man died and left behind a very young child, almost the age of the poetic counterpart. But he didn't die protecting freedom. He died in a war that is securing everlasting hate from the Middle East towards the free world. He died in a war that will promote attacks on freedom. He died in war that is forcing Americans to surrender their freedoms.
His child will be told he died bravely and yes, daddy was a hero. He sacrificed his life for his country. He died with honor and he died with grace. But his child will also be told that daddy died in vain. There will be no lies of a life lost in the name of "freedom." He paid with his life for an objective that can be ever-sought, but never won.
The great war poems of the past were not all red white and blue and cries of Fox News-esque pseudo-patriotism. They were bold and terrifying, somber and horrifying. They sucked your soul out through your chest and returned it, marked.
It’s not a bad poem structurally or semantically. It just reflects what I feel is glossy propaganda, when I want to see unrelentingly raw truth. -
HI: The subject suddenly becomes very touchy: someone, you?, had her husband killed in Iraq, and had to tell her children? If so I'm sorry, if you're posturing this, I'm sorry for that to. People are suffering losses this terrible, but some have a reaction of questioning why the hell did it happen, keep happening? Some, many on the sideline, react as you do. You ask about my character?? I'm angry over this war, I'm still angry over the Viet Nam war: Old men lie and young men die. Hallmark cards and wonderful thoughts don't mend a 19 year old guys guts and legs back together. It is a mess and people like you and me have our very different reactions to it. I honestly didn't mean to offend you, but , in light of the reality of what is going on right now, I found your poem offensive. Syrupy sentimental blind eyed patriotism and talk of heaven (with or without a 100 virgins) does NOT help soldiers, their mates or their children. Clear eyed questioning and demanding proof of reasons, and holding people accountable, that kind of stuff helps a young guy in uniform.
The point of this was how does a mother tell her child of the death of the father? Yes of course I could be wrong in saying there is something dishonest about anything that so blatantly grabs for your emotions and tears. To prove my deep good character I won't. Anyrate I would hope that the explaining of why someone had to die while fighting for their country would be an ongoing explortation as the child and the mother grew. That, or start fitting them out for their uniform.
If you've lost someone you love as described in the poem, than the wound you suffer goes much deeper than this poem would indicate. Maybe go deep down to it and tell us about it? LIke I said you've received many applauses and teary eyed thank yous. There is room for someone like me in all this that just doesn't agree with you: Okay? Dave
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I cried.
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i would aplaud it alot more but sorry i cant but i will some time, i lovvvvvvvvvvedddd this poem and it was soooooooooooooooooooooo cool how you made the childs words light blue.it made me feel sad for the child.
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the best peom
that was GREAT.. it reminds me of all the people who died for our freedom... it is greatly written and yes im going to add another applaud
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Uncle...I take it you assume that this was not written by a woman who just lost her husband, I assume that you take it that this was not written by a mother who has had to tell her child her father died. And I assume that you missed the entire point of this piece due to your focus on the word freedom. Thank you for taking the time to read my work, and thank you for showing me your true charactor...I assume
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Mommy, why was this poem made??
It's great... I love it... thanks for making it....
It reminds me of my dad... NOt in a sad way... It reminds me that he loves me...Even though we fight a lot... Thank you very much... -
I loved it
That poem was not only moving but it had an underlying innocence that seemed to tug at my heart till it tore it in two. -
I think that would be a great question for anyone who lost someone they love in this war in Iraq or most any war: why? why? and why?
Another good why question: why is all writing dealing with partriotism sentimental? Always sentimental! Think about it, the answer is there. Sentimental, big fisted heart tuggers like this always strike me as being dishonest, of being a crooked imitation of an honest emotion. People are being destroyed, damaged, crushed, and we wave a flag and weep these fat, feel good tears. I was a soldier when 19, and what would have helped my generation was if all the people had honestly stopped and considered why:
If you love a solder you don't need cloying emotion to honor them, rather ask why are they there? how exactly are they defending freedom? why is it necessary for them and ourselves to lose freedom by our own leaders.
I'm sorry, but you've been applauded more times than God so I'm thinking an opinon other than the above could be given. Dave
Edited on Sep 10, 2:14 because 'spelling error'. -
Can you give me feedback on my poem The years that passed.How are you doing. I hope fine. Have a good day.
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This poem brought tears to my eyes. This must be one of the best poems I have ever read.
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Oh My God I'm actually crying. That was a beautiful poem. I really enjoyed reading it. Keep writing like this it truly touched me. Emily
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heartwrenching
tears are pouring down my face as i write this comment. i remember 2 years ago when i had to tell my 3 kids that their dad-my beloved husband of 15 years-was dead. it is one of the hardest things that i have ever had to do as a mother. -
outstanding poem
this is an outstanding poem, one that not only speaks a truth but tears ones tears right out and just broke my heart.... -
powerful
poignant. true. thanks for sharing. it brought tears to my eyes as i was reading it...
hugs
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Oh this is so tragically sad! It really amde me cry!!!!!!!
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just wanted to let you know
this brought tears to my eyes
good job -
This is a fantastiic poem!Ur a wonderful writer.Nice job!
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Extremely Touching
i agree with the comment below mine... -
that's just amazing... wow
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This brought a stream of tears to my eyes. Hard to explain to young child the importance of why and how their "daddy" died. Bravo on grasping the reality
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this is a very wonderful piece and it should be published. it is sad and at the same time i wanna cry because i know some kids are out there asking these questions and if my kids asked me that question i would never know how to answer if i lost my husband i wouldnt know what to do. good work and keep writing.
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A friend of mine told me to come to this site and look at this poem. She didn't tell me it would make me cry. This was very good and I am glad she has introduced me to this site. I love poetry and would now would love to see more of yours.
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Golden...nothing else need be said. Bravo
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Written with a sensitive touch.
It must be the worst nightmare to have to try and explain to a child that a parent will no longer be here. I believe that you have handled this situation in a most sensitive way. It's also amazing how a child can often be the one to bring comfort to an adult by the things they may say... I am referring to the line that says:
Mommy, daddy is my hero too!
A very touching write, something that may help others in a similar situation.
Well Done!
~Katie~
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made me cry
this was great. I would applaud this, but i never, ever applaud death; its just me.
i hope that when your daughter is old enough to understand, she isn't filled with angst. I did not lose someone in the war. But I lost both of my parents so I know how she might feel in the future.
Favorite stanza...
Princess, I am crying because I know
how very much your daddy loved you
and I know how much you love him.
Baby we will go visit daddy in heaven one day
and yes I know the way,
but we can't visit anytime soon.
Heaven is very far away.
But, daddy is here with us,
he is right here in your heart,
you are part of him,
that will never change.
it was simply put, Wow-...
this by its self is so close to insparational. If all your poetry is this good, you'll succed with any type of wrighting you chose to do. -
OMG. this was SO SAD! I really hope this didn't come from personal experience, and if it did, I'm really, really sorry.
"Mommy, are you crying because
you don't know how
to get to heaven,
that's okay we can ask for directions?"
That was definitely the most touching part of this piece, but the whole thing was beautiful. hugs -
...i am speechless... and practically in tears.. that was very touching and so personal.. wow it was great.. it was so beautiful.. great job on this piece!
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The whole country needs to read this.
It's that simple. -
Touching
That is great. I really like it, partially because I have a friend who is serving overseas right now and would appreciate it very much. Very sad, very sweet, and very touching. Wonderful job!
~Amanda -
excellent write
sitting here with tears on my cheeks and a small smile on my face-thank you for putting what we take for granted so much into words of understanding that touch the heart. God bless you -
i really liked this poem. it is truely beautiful. keep up the good work.
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OMGSH!!! THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE BEST POEMS IVE READ IN A LONG TIME!!!!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!!
hangin out with you -
wow this poem about brought me to tears!
[cant cry in school though]
this poem was absoluty amazing!
the mother and the child views were expressed very well!
"Mommy, are you crying because
you don't know how
to get to heaven,
that's okay we can ask for directions?"
that part was filled with so much emotion! its so sad how these tings happen and children dont understand and its hard for adults to explain the truth of it because, the truth can be sad...
thanks for sharing this! this was a magnificient piece!
take care, best wishes...
♥ Lynn -
o wow i really lovethis i like allthis type of thing...i love this keep up the good work....ill hope to read more of ur work
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It brought tears to my eyes! There's an e-mail I received very similar, about a girl without her father, after he died as a firefighter on Sept 11. This is well written, I can feel the sadness in it as I read it, another great one from you!
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Good
Extremely moving, War and killing of people has been going on for centuries,Will it never stop,how many young children have lost their fathers? how many tears has been shed? -
Wonderful!
I am crying! -
sweet.
Awww omg it made me tear a litlte... this really touched my heart and it's very beautiful. You did a great and wonderful job, and good luck to you in the contest! Very very good! Keep your chin up love, you're a great writer. -
Wow...wow wow wow wow wow. Yeah, I'm not sure what to say other than that, except this was just really touched nad powerful and...wow. Real creative I know, but it was just so totally awesome and I'm really glad you featured this, and also that I read this!
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wow, that was the most touching depressing thing I've read in a loooooooong time. Great Job
Morrison -
Hey there,
Remember me?I believe we got off the wrong foot in the past, but I just had to comment. I really dont usually go to the featured area nowadays, but since I saw your name I had to check what came along. (by the way very intriguing title)
The poem itself is outdonely amazing in all standards. I've read that it may be too simple or cliche'd for that matter, but you've mangaged to provide such an impact on us readers. The different colors for each character gave a nice little effect, and the flow was great. I really dont see any reason for this to rhyme.
A great poem, well worthy of plenty applauses, perhaps the only negative bit I'd say is that, the paragraph about freedom was feeling out of place for me, but still I loved it all around.
Thanks for the wonderful read and write, DO keep writing.
Cheers,
Kal 24 -
omg... this made me cry... this is sooo sad... I feel like I'm sitting the same room and can just picture the whole convo. great job!!! this is an amazing piece...
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Good Work!!!!
You believe or not this is absolutly amazin it made me really emotional i can really understand this feeling as i also lost my father not in a war but with a heart attack and i also asked the same questio to my mom .I loved your poem it is truly amazing!!!!! -
awesome
Im about ready to bust out into tears... this was a very sweet write,,, And I hope this made you feel better to get this out... Good Job and Keep writing,
ChaingangAngel -
Amazing, I am left totally speechless. Your piece caught my eye at the side of my screen, and I thought I'd take a look. I was right to,
A brilliant write, and a very well done. -
Darling
Your dad to me
was like magic see
someone who was there
embracing you with care.
I wish and prayed
mine would just stay
and be like yours
now before heaven's doors.
Smoosh
Janet -
Heck I couldn't get thru half the poem without crying. I'd hate to be in this position. I'm a mother who has a son in Iraq so... Thanks for sharing very emotional. LM
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This was a very telling and difficult conversation, maybe in worthy of a dialoque story or play. Your langauge was easy to imagine as true.
If the two characters reperesent the real, my condolences, war is hell. -
I have withdrawn my comments.
~Katie~
Edited on Sep 07, 6:01 because ''. -
AMAZINGGG!!!
This is a really nice piece, I can never imagine also living without my dad! This is the BEST piece of work I ever read on AP! Thanks alot for sharing! Best of Luck in the contest! GOD bless you dear! 
**$h@/\/\z((
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amazing
The one word I can say is amazing..... I read this and I cried, it is so hard to tell a young child thie parent died and the reason why becasue they may not understand but one day they will and they will be proud of that person. Very well written and I loved it!
Texas
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Despite what Mr. D P Robertson wrote up there that spoiled all of this in my opinion, this was an amazing write. You see, I am an American Soldier, I am still in my training but next fall I go overseas. I am damn proud of the fact that I am defending our countries freedom, also...this poem...this poem is what I may have to face someday too. I am single but the thought of having someone do that for me...this whole poem moved me to tears. Thank you so much, it is more appreciated then you will ever know. It encourages us that are fighting, that there are people who support us...it's not about Bush, it's about what we are doing. THANK YOU AGAIN! Pvt. J.T. Sammer of the United States Army
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wow this is great, it is written with such innocence from the childs point of view sad but touching great job
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Wow this was really great>you were really expressive. Great word choice. Good write.Can you give me feedback on my poem The years that passed
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WOW. very moving. you have a great talent!!
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this was very beautiful so sad and sweet and I`m crying like so much this was well done it flows so nicely it was a beautiful piece thank you so much for sharing this piece and good luck
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i really like this poem. my dad passed away to and i knwo how that little girls feels and how the mom feels.
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well writen...very emotional brang a tear to my eye.. good luck in contest ....smiles...~cheeky~
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Emotionally that is very good- I started reading and had one overwhelming sense to be thankful…that it did not rhyme.
It is a little clichéd, well very clichéd and very jingoistic. If a child had have asked me that question my response probably would have been, “Because Bush is a fuckwit!” But let’s all muddy the waters and pretend that “Daddy had to be in Iraq because if he wasn’t American freedoms would have fallen to pieces” which of course is just out and out nonsense. He was there because the US military under Bush’s orders shipped him over there. If he didn’t go over there, would his child lose her freedoms, no, her right to dress anyway she likes, no, her right to be educated, no, her freedom to pray to whatever God she likes, or her parents like, no. If he did not go over there, would Iraq have invaded America- no again? As it has been proven in America’s own senate hearings that there was absolutely no connection between 9/11 and Saddam Hussein, and what was spouted to the people of America before this invasion to justify it was spurious at best and plain deceitful and possibly criminal at worst, why did Daddy die will become a burning question that will be asked louder and louder of the members of this administration, especially Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. So daddy very well could have been a hero as are many who are forced into this conflict, on both sides, but above all Daddies all over America who are dying, there death is looking less heroic and more and more of a waste.
As for this piece, what you are trying to achieve is politically trite but how it is structured, although riddled with clichés that are the tried and true clichés that seem lifted from the Old Shep school of heartstring pulling, it does the trick.
David
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Terrific work and very touching. Not much else to say than that. Continue penning and good luck in the contest. I think you got it made with this.
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YOU GO
YOU HAVE THE GIFT TO UPLIFT THE PAIN OF SOMANY PLEASE KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DOING.THIS PEICE OF WORK IS AMAZING THE HARD TRUTH TO LIFE MANY UPS AND DOWNS BELIEVE WHEN I SAT THIS I HAVE NEVER READ ANYTHING AS TOUCHING AS THIS.. -
wonderful
i don't know what to say other then WOW!!!!!!!!! this is the first poem to make me cry. this is the best meaningful poem. don't ever give up your gift. good work and keep writting i look forword to reading more of your poetry. -
This is very touching.
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Very Moving
Omgs! *tears start falling* That is sooooo sad. I know what it's like to lose a father (not in that way though) and it just tears me to pieces just thinking of a little 3 year old girl, losing her father, her idol. A girls father is the man of her dreams, the one she wants to marry.
Gosh.
This is a very, very well written poem. I like how it's written in a coversation form. It makes the poem so much more real.
I like they way you 'explained' to the little girl about how you will get to see daddy, but not anytime soon.
Very, very good. -
This is a really great poem. you have real talent. keep up the good work and i hope you go far and strengthen this talent. God bless and keep it up
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e pluribus unum
awwwww. thats so sad.great stuff but its tuggin at the strings a bit as im just getting used to steve irwins passing.i really enjoyed this as down and sad as it was.it was a really nice take on something. -
Oh WOW this is wonderful I really did cry ... This is so true
You have done a wonderful job !!!
Be Well
Jackie -
I am crying my eyes out and I am in the middle of school. This is the saddest piece that I have ever read. It captures the childs emotions and tells the pain of the mother all at once. this is truely beautiful. This is gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
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words can't describe
Oh I still have the tears running down my cheeks. This is both sad and uplifting. The love throughout is well expressed. It pains me that so many children today have to be explained why there daddy or mommy is the hero. But, it so well said cause no one will make such a greater sacrifice for a fellow man than one serving in the military. No one except Jesus. The ultimate soldier. Thank you for the privilidge of reading such a extremely beautiful piece. -
*angel*
I'm all choked up and on the brink of tears. This was a depressing, yet inspirational piece. I love how you clarified between a child's question and a mother's answer. Great piece, I wish the best for you. -
that was beautiful
i cried
its amazing how words like that can get to someone
keep it up -
This is so very beautifully written with great emotion. The form was great as was the flow. great work. Keep your pen forever flowing! Bunny
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This is really good. Its really sad tho. Great job. Good luck in the contest!
Edited on Sep 05, 2:11 p.m. because ''.
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