My father forgot how to make coffee today
This man who built a house with his own hands
Built me a go-kart out of angle iron and lawnmower parts
Preached to the Baptist masses
And dared to fight when they went to the Dark Side
Performed the marriages of half my little town
Then counseled the casualties of the ones that didn't work out
He has been married for almost 60 years
Bore five children, and grieved as two of them died
He bailed me out of jail and hugged my shame away
Even though I know it killed him inside
I've heard the words "larger than life" before
That was my father
And he forgot how to make coffee today
I think I'll sit and drink his bad coffee with him this morning
Author notes
Prompts 5 and 14. Alzheimers has to be the cruellest disease....for both the victim and his family
A contest entry
- Let's Get the Ink Flowing!!! by Auburn Sunrise.
1800 points, ended March 16, 2008, 30 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Living With Alzheimers Or Dementia by CountryCousin.
1500 points, ended March 27, 2008, 20 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - It's Fathers Day - Tell me about your Dad - Open for ALL by Florida Sunshine.
450 points, ended June 17, 2008, 29 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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Beautiful and powerful...
I love the way you repeated the line at the end. Makes it a strong and impactful message.
Through this contest I've learn there are good fathers and bad ones... your dad shows what unconditional love really is about.
I love what you composed here... I know a little about this disease... and occasionally has tossed a joke about it. [not meaning harm] I guess it isn't as funny when your living it. You certainly have shown how impactful this can be, with just a simple cup of coffee.
Thanks so much for entering the "Father's Day" contest ~ I do appreciate you sharing your work with me.
Best of luck to you,
Florida Sunshine
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I reread.
I got caught up in work this weekend but took today to reread the piece so I can award trophies appropiately. -
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Thanks for the consideration. I can tell from your comments that this is a condition very important to you. I spent part of today with my dad, and it was a good day. Fewer and fewer of those occur.
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This is the most beautiful, heartfelt piece. It seems so simple but contains the deepest emotion. Life does not seem fair sometimes. I think for you to sit and drink bad coffee with him was my favorite part. I am at a loss of proper words to describe how this piece left me feeling. I have a grandfather with alzheimers and a grandmother with dementia. My grandma was more like my mama so it's a hard blow.
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Still good.
I still think this is good. -
well done..we celebrate your Father!
Tenderly written boldly too..your father is a good man!
I can only pray that SCIENCE does lend a hand, and help
us in the future with solutions for our parents.
What a beautiful tribute to your father!
well done dear poet, well done!
ears2hearyou
Kathleen : ))
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Good for you.
This is how it is with Alzheimers. It is good that you did decide to sit with him and drink his bad coffee. The moments of lucidity comes and goes. I think this is a fine example of the disease. -
I'm so sorry about your father. Thankfully I have not been influenced directly by this disease, but I do know what it can do. And it's tragic. Wondeful poem. Best of luck to you!
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I was only witness to this once, last thanksgiving, when my moms guy, who has both that and dementia. He was the sweetest guy and couldn't remember any short term, though sometimes quick with longe term memory. It was the saddest thing I thing I had ever witnessed, a man in his fifties, who had to be cared for at all times. His life won't fail him for many years still, I hope his greedy family, remembers that he is a human being and not just the cash cow. Something tells me, when they ripped him away from everything he knew and loved and moved him across the country, that they really didn't have his best interests in heart. Its all about the money. Sorry got sidetracked there. I wish you didn't have to be going through this right now. Must be so difficult for you...
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Awww :(
This is so touching and just... radiates a feeling of absolute helplessness.
I can't imagine how difficult it is for you to watch your father deteriorate - I am so sorry.
This was wonderfully written - and reminded us all that we need to be thankful for our parents' health, to enjoy them while we can.
Thank you for this excellent entry and the reminder.
I wish you the best of luck with your father.
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This bought tears to my eyes as I know victims and families.
A beautiful poem filled with very expressive words.
Thanks for writing it...
All the best in the contest...Sue
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