(continuation of what we never said)
Father
I knew you would hate me
for the doors I closed.
But I had seen storms
you had not.
The world is not gentle
with boys who are unguarded.
I wanted you strong,
not wounded like I was.
My hands were rough,
not from anger,
but from work.
Long shifts under tired lights,
counting coins that smelled of sweat,
so you could count stars instead.
Every “no” I gave you
was stitched with fear.
Every strict word
was a shield I didn’t know
how to decorate with love.
Yes, I never said
what fathers in films say.
The words stayed locked
behind my teeth.
In my time,
love was bread on the table,
school fees paid on time,
shoes replaced before they tore.
I watched you sleep some nights,
wanting to touch your hair,
but afraid you’d wake
and see my weakness.
I was proud of you
in silence.
( to be continued )
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140,068 Literary Works • 672,978 Reviews
I really enjoyed this poem, and i think it is the perfect reflection on how much fathers are willing to sacrifice for the future of their children. it also displays the hard truth about how these mind sets can effect things in the future, like in the first line when you mentioned how the father knew his son would hate him. I thin that this is an emotional masterpiece, perfectly displaying the selflessness a father feels toward his children. struggling so that they can thrive.
thank you for reading .... and also read my next work ... which is continuation of this
This is one of the most beautiful poems I have ever seen, and I have to thank you for it. I love my father, but now, thanks to this poem, I realize just how much he means to me. The sensitivity you showed in writing this poem—my goodness! I’m crying as I write this. The part that touches me the most is: " counting coins that smelled of sweat,
so you could count stars instead."
Really, I want to tell you, thank you!!
i am glad that you enjoyed it and could relate it ....