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
Love this Carl, can relate :)
ReplyDeleteCindy
Thanks, Cindy
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure seeing your old man published.
ReplyDeleteAs is the joy of having a son liking Dad's stories.
Delete(unless I write too many about you)
Carl,
ReplyDeleteA 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
I do appreciate your efforts, David, however I don't pay to have my poems put in a magazine.
DeleteA sweet poem, Carl – simple and profound. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRaymond Keen – author of "Love Poems for Cannibals" and "The Private and Public Life of King Able"
Thanks, Ray, a special honor having you take time for comment, my friend.
DeleteEnjoyed your piece Carl!!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent 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!
ReplyDelete-MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)
Your poem contains such truth and is wonderfully worded Carl! I hope it helps change some stubborn hearts. Blessings, Connie
ReplyDelete