Daughter of my heart

[PrinceMyshkin]

Daughter of my heart, what trouble keeps you
from me? Is it as hard and rough-edged a stone
in your mind when you think of me
as it is in mine when I long to hear from you and know
that as the father, I must be patient?
That you hold me somewhere in your heart
the way we embrace when we see each other?

I try to remind and reassure myself
via the happy moments we shared:
that time when you were maybe 8.
You looked up at me in the blue cover-alls
I wore to ride my motor-cycle
and with an attempt at a straight face,
said: “Okay, Dada, you can go out and play now!”

Or that time when you were 5 or so,
sitting on my lap, sucking your thumb
and I was feeling so warm towards you
I leaned over and whispered in your ear:
“You’re nice, you know? You’re a really nice girl.”
Out came the thumb: “I know,” you said,
“but it’s nice to hear all the same.”

[motherhubbard]

I've noticed her a lot in the things you write lately. This is a lovely longing for your daughter

[littlewing53]

beautiful...tho makes me wanna just cry...:bawling:...

[PrinceMyshkin]

I've noticed her a lot in the things you write lately. This is a lovely longing for your daughter

Thank you, and here's one that I wrote for her when she was the age her daughter will be in a few days:


TO ZOE, AGE 6

My darling, I love you
better than calico, better
than rhubarb wine
or the tickle

of spring on my ribs
as I sleep
and dream of the wind
that goes whoosh through the trees

as your presence
goes whoosh
through the rooms
of my heart and my house,

Gemini with the speed of light.
So quick are you, body
and mind, that you answer
me even before I speak,

my fingerling, my dart,
--calico, wine and spring of my heart.





J. Newman Sudden Proclamations © 1992

[motherhubbard]

Jerry, that was wonderful!

[Sweets America]

Daughter of my heart, what trouble keeps you
from me? Is it as hard and rough-edged a stone
in your mind when you think of me
as it is in mine when I long to hear from you and know
that as the father, I must be patient?
That you hold me somewhere in your heart
the way we embrace when we see each other?

I try to remind and reassure myself
via the happy moments we shared:
that time when you were maybe 8.
You looked up at me in the blue cover-alls
I wore to ride my motor-cycle
and with an attempt at a straight face,
said: “Okay, Dada, you can go out and play now!”

Or that time when you were 5 or so,
sitting on my lap, sucking your thumb
and I was feeling so warm towards you
I leaned over and whispered in your ear:
“You’re nice, you know? You’re a really nice girl.”
Out came the thumb: “I know,” you said,
“but it’s nice to hear all the same.”



How I love this poem!! How obvious and immense your love for Zoe is!!
I adore the tenderness in this poem, it's really as if your heart itself had taken a pen to write this.

[PrinceMyshkin]

How I love this poem!! How obvious and immense your love for Zoe is!!
I adore the tenderness in this poem, it's really as if your heart itself had taken a pen to write this.

Thank you, baby!

[Virgil]

Prince, she sounds like a wonderful child and she's got a great father. Very heart warming poems. I liked the Zoe poem best. Very nice.

[Pensive]

Ah, it's very nice. Cute indeed.

[Inkling]

Thanks so much for your kind remarks about "In Another Life..." - really appreciated them. There are two sorts of poetry that bring a lump to my throat - the ones about the love that can never be, and the ones we write about our children. Your words about your kids (I presume) are sooo poignant and beautiful - really touching... (sob!)

[Granny5]

Jerry, these are beautiful and so touching. Give her a call...often. She'll love you more for it.

[Pendragon]

What is it about us, the toughest of men,
Who fear nothing at all (or at least so we claim)
We will stare Death in the sockets and laugh in his teeth,
But that little girl look of a daughter
And we turn into mush mixed with water...

I fear no man at all and I repect danger and prepare,
I have walked all alone in the forests with but a knife.
I have come face to face with a bear and been stalked by bobcats
But she gives me a smile and says "Poppa."
And my whole world has to stop.

Fathers and daughters share a special kind of bond,
And it's not like the one between father and son.
My sons and my daughter know all the secrets of woodcraft I've taught them.
And you hurt my sons and I'm gonna to hunt you down.
But if you dare lay a hand on that daughter of mine--
You had better hope that the law finds you before I do...
No one hurts Poppa's little girl...

Pendragon
9/21/07

And she's 20!

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Chicks.gif

[Poppy]

Prince, very touching. Thanks for sharing your feelings about your kids..

[Helen Clancy]

I love your poems about your daughter - especially the 'Zoe' one.
I have written a poem about my daughter too - but it is for a university assignment - so I can't post it yet - but maybe once it has been marked!
Parenthood can be a wonderful thing - there is nothing like the emotions that a child can provoke! Often contradictory and mixed emotions.
Helen