As it is Father's Day here in the UK I thought I would share this piece of work as some single Dad's may be able to relate. It probably works in reverse for some single Mother's? Single Dad's can get a bad rap sometimes, but maybe it can offer a bit of hope, dependent on where you are in the poem. Grab a cuppa; because it goes on a bit!
Single Dad
Smiling face
Saviour of the human race
Brave or madness? A thousand cuts
When into the seat he puts
A crying child to drive away
Tomorrow will be groundhog day
Single Dad
Beyond despair
Daughters tears are matting hair
Clinging mother won't let go
Off out clubbing later though
Jagged rocks break river's flow
Single Dad
Shifting sands
Begrudging glances, pulled away hands
He's fine, look, with his toothy grin.
Wizard of Oz's man of tin
But scratch at metal - heart's within
Single Dad
'Mum said so!'
Children much too young to know
Exploited by love's misplaced grief
Moral compass? Hull scrapes reef!
There's nothing worse than a childhood thief
Single Dad
Out of sorts
Steering starboard, listing port
How can they know the real him?
When cast adrift, his beacon's dim
Prospects seem to be quite slim
Single Dad
Waving or drowning?
Mouth that smiles while soul is frowning
Blindly thrashing against the tide
Hate filled rumours now contrived
But Lions fight to keep their pride
Single Dad
Wouldn't it be better
To walk away and sign the letter?
Cut them off with tunnel end lit
Easy life just choose to quit
He wouldn't even think of it
Single Dad
Must keep going
Try not to show the pain that's growing
Don't give up now, don't you dare
Deep inside they really care
If nothing else; keep being there
Single Dad
Fly away kite
35 years of savings light
Costly battles, a legal wrangle
Stripped of cash as creditors strangle
The treasure won was worth the candle
Single Dad
Much maligned
Now that direct debit's signed
Hurtful tactics, gossip and smears
Spat through teeth and squeezed out tears
How could she after all these years?
Single Dad
Child's school play
But he has to work away
To pay her cheque and buy their stuff
'No choice' decisions can still be tough
'Mum says you'd come if you cared enough!'
Single dad
Days without
Teapot's full but got no spout
So this is it - the waiting phase
Restless nights spent counting days
Vibrant colours turn to greys
Single Dad
What do you think?
That in his armour is no chink?
There's devastation. Hollowed gut
He's a circus clown with size twelve foot
Santa Claus but covered in soot
Single Dad
New skills learned
Baking cakes - ouch! Fingers burned.
Party dresses. Trying to put her hair in tresses
Twenty tries and twenty guesses
Sweat on forehead, he confesses
Single Dad
Clouds subside
Jump on back for Daddy's ride
Daughter smiles and ice caps melt
Tickles and toys and fuzzy felt
Joy in heart as new cards dealt
Single Dad
Happy times
Fun-filled days and church bell chimes
Singing songs and kisses all day
Cuddles and snuggles and 'can we play?'
'Let me think...of course we may.'
Single Dad
Worth the flack?
Looks in mirror - son looks back
He grows older, strong and loyal
Cos Oak Trees grow from fertile soil
Pot on low light comes to boil
Single Dad
Push comes to shove
No more ravens - Noah's Dove
My children - they're the very best
(Head held high and sticking out chest)
Be sad to see them flee the nest
Single Dad
Wrinkled face
Old age always wins the race
In the end - a happy throng
'I hope he knew we meant no wrong.'
Don't worry he knew all along
@Copyright Keith Wright 2017
Happy Father's Day to all. Single Dad's - keep going. They need you.