Father I Hardly Knew Poem by Frank V. Gardner

Father I Hardly Knew

Rating: 3.5


My father, who I hardly knew,
Was never one to shirk.
He died in nineteen twenty four,
While helping friends at work.

He came from Colorado,
Where the men were taught to ride.
He joined the Army Engineers,
And did the job with pride.

At first, he went to Texas,
Where he joined a border fight,
Controlling Pancho Villa;
And the Army did it right.

When more important war developed,
Far across the sea,
He went to France in World War One
To battle Germany.

When peace was won, he married young,
And started family.
But long and healthy life for him
Just wasn't meant to be.

A good mechanic, then, he was;
'Sixteenth and L, ' his base.
'A place for everything, ' he'd say,
'And everything in place.'

While helping string a high antenna,
From the shop, outside,
A rotted window sill gave way.
He fell.
That's how he died.


(Mother told her three children about their father as they grew up.
I wrote this poem about him in Falls Church, Virginia, during October 1985.)

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Mary Nagy 09 January 2006

Very sad Frank........I'm sorry you didn't have him in your life longer. My dad died when he was 47 (in 1994) so I do share your loss for a father. Very nice tribute to him though. Sincerely, mary

1 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 12 May 2015

A well articulated narrative poem nicely penned. Thanks for sharing.

1 0 Reply

Wonderful story poem. Beautiful narrative

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Douglas Scotney 12 May 2015

It's good to know the story, but this form isolates from feeling, Frank.

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Kim Barney 12 May 2015

So you were only about two years old when he left this life. This was a very nice tribute to him. I join John Richter in expressing my hope that you are still around to enjoy the recognition you will get from having this poem chosen by PH as poem of the day.

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Soumita Sarkar 12 May 2015

Yes this true life poem is pictured in the most sensitive way....people who serve ARMY needs kudos and accolades....

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Jasbir Chatterjee 12 May 2015

I was sad to know about the way your Dad died. But it's a nice poem.

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John Richter 12 May 2015

A wonderful story about your dad Frank.... I hope you are still alive to hear this....

1 0 Reply
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