I dream of childhood days we sipped
from summer’s sweet forever cup
family outings, mother’s laughter,
my “blazing daddy” raised me up
high on shoulders, pressed to neck
his promise I was tightly held
from dizzy height I could not look
yet safer I have never felt
I hear again soft serenade
when in my bed I’m safely tucked
nocturnal ditties played by dad
the guitar’s poem my cradle rock
as far back as my dreams can reach
his songs broke through my cloudy gloom
the ray of light, the guiding star
made right my overwhelm of doom
then came the day, no longer there
soft place to fall had disappeared
the empty chair, the yawning ache
the absence I had always feared
those days of summer, long since gone
mere wisps of time have flown away
yet still I hear his melodies
in echoes from my yesterdays.
***
Further Reading:
Daddy’s Guitar
jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com
Jennifer's Journal 
Nostalgic memories enchantingly couched in childhood imagery….
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Jennifer, this is so beautiful. So achingly beautiful!
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Thank you so much, Susan!
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What precious memories you have so beautifully shared, Jennifer! Thank you for bringing some of my fond memories to mind too…
Blessings ~ Wendy
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Thank you, Wendy!
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There’s a lot of emotion in this poem, and a heartfelt sense of longing. The image of the empty chair is powerfully poignant. And you really captured the sense of childhood, that it would never end, in “summer’s sweet forever cup.”
Lovely! And I love how the photos enhance and deepen the feeling of the poem.
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It means a lot to me that you like my poem. I find the need to write poetry when I’m feeling deep emotion, as you’ve noted. Thanks for following me too!
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Poetry was my first true love, and one I hid from people often, for a long time. I’m finally coming back to owning its influence on me (and finally acknowledging it publicly by blogging about it…)
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Good for you! Poetry is an ideal form of self-expression, and I wish you well as you incorporate it into your blog. 🙂
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Absolutely beautiful!
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Glad you liked it, Julie!
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What beautiful memories of your father and your childhood.
This is a truly lovely poem
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Thanks, Elizabeth.
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Absolutely beautiful Jen, brought a tear to my eyes.
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Thanks, Lynda.
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Ah…those beautiful memories… I miss those days, times when we were carefree..and nothing mattered, no worries about jobs,career, boys… those were the best times. Great poem… 🙂
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I miss those days too, Mona, more so because I’m missing my parents, may they rest in peace. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
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I am so sorry to know about your parents. I can understand how you feel. Staying away from my ailing mother,I always imagine what my life would be without her. I am getting these thoughts everyday now. Just thinking about it makes me teary eyed. I fear losing her, as she’s my only support, the only one who understands me. As I am her youngest kid, she’s obsessed about me, she calls me 5 times a day, and however irritating I may find it today, I know I am gonna miss it once she’s gone.
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So sorry your mom is not well. I still miss the phone calls from my mother, and the sound of her voice.
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Ah such a beautiful dream and poem Jennifer I love it!
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Hey Kath, thank you for saying so! x
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Beautiful. I am glad you had a wonderful childhood. I did too, best days of our lives aren’t they…
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Thanks, John. Best days indeed.
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Oh my gosh Jennifer – what a beautiful poem! It brought back a flood of memories from my own childhood.
xo
Diana
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Thanks, Diana. A happy childhood is one thing I am tremendously grateful for. x
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me too!
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