Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Forgiveness--By Carl "Papa" Palmer--United States

Forgiveness

She was a teenager,
teenagers say things,
provoke a father to say things,
things impossible to take back,
things impossible to forget. 
He couldn’t forgive her or himself
and neither could she.

A lifetime later
the grown daughter 
sits with her father,
riddled with old age illness,
forgives him 
so he can forgive himself
a moment before he dies.

My daughter and I
sitting on the couch,
both of us 20 years younger 
than the actors on the screen.
Both of us sobbing
forgiveness, hug…before it’s too late.

Carl "Papa" Palmer, retired Army, retired FAA, now just plain retired, lives in University Place, Washington. He has seven chapbooks and a contest winning poem riding buses somewhere in Seattle. Carl has been nominated for the Micro Award and Pushcart Prize.

MOTTO: Long Weekends Forever
www.authorsden.com/carlpalmer

11 comments:

  1. Love this Carl, can relate :)
    Cindy

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  2. Always a pleasure seeing your old man published.

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    Replies
    1. As is the joy of having a son liking Dad's stories.
      (unless I write too many about you)

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  3. Carl,
    A beautiful poem. Please send the money and the poems for the magazine, if you are still interested. (Issues fill up fast). E-mail me for my address, if you need it.
    Your friend,
    David Fox

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    Replies
    1. I do appreciate your efforts, David, however I don't pay to have my poems put in a magazine.

      Delete
  4. A sweet poem, Carl – simple and profound. Thanks for sharing!

    Raymond Keen – author of "Love Poems for Cannibals" and "The Private and Public Life of King Able"

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ray, a special honor having you take time for comment, my friend.

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  5. Excellent poem, Carl! What a beautiful, beautiful, touching poem! What a dear message within it. This one set in my heart. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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  6. Your poem contains such truth and is wonderfully worded Carl! I hope it helps change some stubborn hearts. Blessings, Connie

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