A Trip To See My Father Poem by James Timothy Jarrett
A Trip To See My Father
I look at him
Illuminated by the dim yellow glow
of warm lamplight
He smiles
reclined and comfortable
in the chair of my youth
His rough unshaven face
carries the lines
of a million good times
His warmth makes
the slightly tattered furniture
look better, more comfortable
He stays up late into the night
telling worn old jokes
still funny
He basks in the love of his family
come to see him
and is warmed
I am carried back
carried to my place
in that chair
Loved and protected
rough whiskers on my skin
always safe with him
Sitting in that chair
always with a laugh
always with a smile
Now the oxygen tube snakes
'round his neck
while he tells stories
But his laugh
is still deep
and loud
The hour is late
and I drink his fine whiskey
that he no longer can
I look deeply
into his sparkling eyes
and know that he will die
But not when he can laugh
and still feel
like a child
Quiet, the heart recalls when youth was ours...and our parents seemed like invincible forces in our lives. You poem was a majestic tribute to your father. I have saved it, as a favorite, relating well to the honesty of emotion. I invite you to read Photographic Memory, written for my late father. Thank you for sharing this. PEACE
James I found you through your comments on Billy Collins poem 'Another Reason Why I Don't Keep A Gun In The House'. Your poem here shows that we are kindred spirits in the way you express yourself. I can see why you like Billy Collins... who happens to be my favorite poet. Nice poem... love the simplicity of word use to express something deeply felt.
“dim yellow glow” - a good combination. “in the chair of my youth” provides a nice and clever contrast. This poem is a pleasure to read. You chose the right format and gave it a lilting, relaxing rhythm. I like the way you worded the third stanza (His rough unshaven face /carries the lines /of a million good times) . You convey a lot of feeling. Well done.
Very nostalgic, peaceful, and a certain contentment with the situation. Nice to have something specific you can love about someone and remember with appreciation.
Thanks James. You brought back the reminiscences of my late father. Anybody can relate with this great poem.......thank u once again.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/25/2024 6:07:48 AM # 1.0.0.1119
A moving account and a beautiful tribute to fine and lasting love. Your ending has a wrench too. You are a master at that tho. A very well written piece..10 + + from Fay.