Lines About My Father Poem by Max Reif

Lines About My Father

Rating: 3.9


He did not so much abandon me, as himself.
His rage blew out of places that had never known life.

So quickly he turned from 'Daddy' into Father,
the cold and distant, angry 'god the Father'—

One evening at the theater, he turned to me,
Muttering, 'You're a dreamer! ', spitting out contempt.

Yes, a dreamer—with no solid ground to stand on,
nothing to make a world from, but dreams.

The world comes out of Mother and extends to Father.
That's all the child knows of solid ground.
If it's not solid, he falls in an abyss.
From there, it's true, his only hope's in dreams;
and thus is born a madman or an artist.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
t. h. ashbury 14 September 2005

tried, convicted and sentenced as a dreamer... this is great work. salut.

0 0 Reply
Uriah Hamilton 14 September 2005

A great poem depicting the birth of an artist.

0 0 Reply
Michael Philips 14 September 2005

Interesting that he said that at the theater, a place where you go to see other people's dreams.

0 0 Reply
Raynette Eitel 14 September 2005

Max, we who enjoy your artistic spirit thank God that you are a dreamer. I find it interesting to see how many poets and composers had extremely unsettled relationships with either one or both parents. Perhaps then is when we turn to find satisfaction in dreams. I still haven't posted anything about my father but perhaps I will soon. Thanks for this poem. Raynette

0 0 Reply
John Kay 14 September 2005

Max, This is a fine poem. It aims for the pain and hits the mark. I like poems that I can understand quickly like this one. I would cut the words 'spitting out contempt, ' however. They only serve to explain what is painfully clear in the preceding words. Gets a ten from me.

0 0 Reply
Philippa Lane 30 April 2006

I like this poem a lot, Max. I am enjoying reading all your poems one by one...and I love your website.

0 0 Reply
Jerry Hughes 03 October 2005

all the peers can't be wrong, Max. It's an amazing piece of writing. Jerry

0 0 Reply
Pamela Davison 23 September 2005

I like it, Max. Depth of emotions are clear and strong, as is the message. It's a bit on the wordy side, but not so as to detract from the work. Good job.

0 0 Reply
Gol Mcadam 15 September 2005

This is inspirational, Max. I agree that the 'spitting out contempt' line might need tweaking. In all, it's a really strong poem and well written.

0 0 Reply
Scarborough Gypsy 14 September 2005

I totally agree, this is a very powerful poem and brilliantly done too.

0 0 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Max Reif

Max Reif

OVER 400 POEMS SERVED! !
Close
Error Success