Hello Dad

[Jerrybaldy]

'Hello Dad, I thought you were dead'.
His hair had a brylcreme shine, jet black, before it was grey.

He was at the bar and it was his round. His cigarette smoke wandered wherever the hell it wanted to.

I was unsure whether to tell him. I felt nervous. Was it best just left unsaid?

He bought me a beer and we clinked glasses and he winked at me man to boy.

I put my hand on his shoulder and he threw his arm around me . 'Dad', I said 'You are dead, it was few years ago....'.

He paused and then, unphased. smiled broadly. That smile that said he knew more than I ever would. ' Have a drink my son, your time will soon be done'.

I thought of soldiers and kicking a ball and sharing anything that made us men together.

I admired him, I always did, he is my dad. I will always find justification. We both knew he was dead. That was an understanding between father and son. For tonight he was with me and for tomorrow I would join him.

[everyadventure]

Maybe you should add "stop drinking" to your to-do list.

[Jerrybaldy]

Misadventure. I rarely write pissed. I dont have a to do list. This was just a tribute to my father.

[Delta40]

He was at the bar and it was his round. His cigarette smoke wandered wherever the hell it wanted to.

I thought of soldiers and kicking a ball and sharing anything that made us men together.

I especially loved these two lines Jerry. Very poignant and a reminder of the void fathers create in our lives.

[MANICHAEAN]

Jerry

Brought back memories of having a drink with my Irish father at GHQ; "The Hand & Flower in Hammersmith." Him onto his second Guiness & bitter, as I was struggling with the first. Prince of Wales double breasted suit with winkle pickers & you never sat down when you were drinking. The bonding references and having passed on, hit hard.

You are a big pussy sometimes, but you know how to write!

M.

[hillwalker]

Your writing is tellingly more honest than some of your responses (or should that be afterthoughts?).

I admired him, I always did, he is my dad. I will always find justification.

The entire piece underlines this fact only too clearly.

H

[MANICHAEAN]

Well noted H

[Jerrybaldy]

You are quite right Hill and I have ammended the afterthought. Thank you Manichaean, your big pussy comment made me smile and I am glad that this poem evoked memories for you.
Thank you Delta. I suspect this is in a layby between poem and short story.
Jerry

[Steven Hunley]

It's not so much poetry or short story as a tribute. A well-done short tribute. He'd be proud.

[MANICHAEAN]

Steve
As all our Dad's would have been proud for pushing the boundaries when we write. But well noted. Its a strange, yet a close and diverse band of souls on Lit Net; almost family.
M.