My father said to me today:
I don't think I understand this trend
of wearing words across one's behind.
He looked to me as if
I were an emissary,
sent to explain the vagaries
of the young and stupid to him
I don't know, Dad. I don't speak their language.
We hail from opposing states,
my father and I,
but the peace treaty turned
five a month ago.
It was a Cold War
waged over my withdrawal from college.
He disapproved.
He dislikes my flip-flops, but
doesn't mind that I want to expatriate.
He accepted the news with equanimity,
merely recommended a place
to get my passport.
It's faster in Gloucester, he said. No lines.
He carries a Band-Aid in his right breast pocket--
glasses and pens in the left--
because his fingers crack, he explains.
I'll never be able to move too far:
Long distance is expensive,
and who else can explain MySpace to him?
A contest entry
- Here's the Deal by dp robertson.
900 points, ended May 5, 2007, 41 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Critical feedback is adored.
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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This is a very charming piece with a wonderful opening line
My father said to me today: I don't think I understand this trend
of wearing words across one's behind.
There is a great feel to this poem as the reader is taken in to an aching distance between two people as they both find ways to close that gap. And this is lovely
I didn't shave for my last date, but this was dinner with my dad.
Thank you for entering this I really enjoyed it.
David
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Well, David, you didn't tell me it was a turd on a stick, so for that, at least, I'm grateful. 'Course, it sounds like you got some real dreck, so maybe I was just better than the God Squad or the Hallmark Hall-of-Famers. I'm going to choose the idea what makes me happiest and go with that.
Good luck with the judging, dear heart. At the least, it'll be over soon.
Jaye
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this is great...
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Thank you. =) I love my father, anachronistic as he is, and I keep hoping that came across here.
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I believe it did
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It's my Father's Day gift to him, though he doesn't know it yet. I wanted to make sure it says everything I wanted it to, even if you have to read between the lines. Thank you for helping me be sure of that.
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