Misty Memories Of My Father's Waltz Poem by Terence George Craddock

the father was drunk on drink drunk on malt whiskey
for a temperance committee the sight would not be pretty;
in a child's idolizing eyes his father danced a pretty ditty
for a father drunk on drink, to waltz music he stepped smartly;

the father was drunk on drink drunk on rare treat whiskey
for a hard working poor loving father money came not easy;
he was finally in his home his castle celebrating his son's party
for a loving hard working parent, love for his son shone brightly;

the whiskey on his breath made a small boy dizzy
but his son hung on like death in a love hug tightly;
around the room they romped, till pans skid fell from kitchen selves

his mother's countenance was not deadpan locked in rigid frowns;
father's hand that held his son's wrist was battered on one knuckle
at every step father missed, son's right ear sore scraped a buckle;

but in a small son's eyes adoration adored the father's smiles
father beat time on son's head with a palm caked hard by dirt;
then waltzed the son off to bed still clinging to his Dad's shirt
father is drunk with love, for music the waltz the child smiles;

sharing the moment which speaks of dusted off childhood memories
a child idolizing a hard working loving parent always caring giving;
who even though drunk walks his son off to bed still forever loving
ritually waltzing his son to his bedroom, in father's waltz memories;

style smiles in malt tones make this golden gilt framed moment
a rare treasured precious occurrence not a common nightly event;
as enigmatic as enduring adoration a lapdog faithful loving child
is relating at every step missed, a dreamlike memory reality held;


Copyright © Terence George Craddock