Father. A Photography and Poetry Prompt.
When I saw that this week’s photography and prompt was ‘father’ I had mixed feelings. The relationship with my real father broke down years ago. I gave him chance after chance to be a dad to me – they are too numerous to mention here – and maybe, one day, I will put it in writing properly. For now, I will let my poem do the talking.
The photograph is of my Grandfather. I know I didn’t take it and I know it isn’t strictly speaking a photo that I have taken but my Grandfather passed away 6 years ago last week and I wanted to use this week to remember him. This was taken at my brother’s christening back in 1975. This man, Geoffrey Hope Cooper, was like a dad to me. It was him that I went to in times of trouble. He would listen to me and give me sound advice. He is the man that I looked up to and respected and, as I said in my poem that I wrote for his funeral, someone I aspire to be. I miss you every day Grandad.
Father
A father should be like no other
A father looks after the kid
A father looks after the mother
But I don’t believe that you did
It doesn’t take much to father
It doesn’t take much at all
You didn’t think it through
The pride came and so did the fall
To me you are now just someone
A person who exists in this world
You can’t raise the flag for this daughter
Your banner remains static, unfurled
A father is all you are to me
A father is what you will be
The one who really looks after me
Well, he is the dad that I see
Victoria Welton 17th June 2015
Such heartfelt words that must have been difficult to write. You must miss your lovely Grandad lots xox
This so emotional, Victoria. Like you, I fostered the same relationship with my grandad (who passed many years ago) because of my less non-existent relationship with my father. It’s tough, but we’re one of the lucky ones that found a surrogate for that gaping hole. And though both our grandads have passed, their memory lives on with us for a lifetime. Thank you for sharing this poem & for hosting us on #Prose4T. Have a lovely Thursday!
I’m so sorry about the relationship you have with your father, it’s a shame we can’t choose our family sometimes.
Beautiful poem though, your emotions have come through in it.
Sorry to hear about your relationship with your father but it does sound like you had a wonderful ‘dad’ in your grandad. A lovely photo and touching poem. xx
“The pride came and so did the fall”
As the mother to a son who similarly has a non-existent relationship with his father (and also has a strong bond with his grandfather), this poem and particularly this line resonated with me deeply. I think I may share this with my son.