Moments fractured,
nestled in comforting joy.
A daughter resting peacefully,
a day so long ago.
Had my arms held her forever?
That Olympus could not pry apart….
Eer sirens of sea could not change the course
of that day so long ago.
That day, that day my arms beckoned her,
drifted my soul to hers…
and she stole that piece of me…
the center of my heart.
The years have faded that cold day,
memories crackled by sands of time.
Her soft, sleeping coo’s are still my treasure,
Patty-cakes and “I love you’s” stored away,
freeing my aging chamber of misery.
And now she soars!
Her life, her love, her beauty….
a self made spectacle of glory.
And pride surrenders the rest of me to her.
Always, daughter, I will love you.
.
| “For pleasures past I do not grieve, nor perils gathering near; My greatest grief is that I leave nothing that claims a tear.” |
|
– Lord Byron |
© 2011 John Richter
johnallenrichter 
February 14th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
I have missed you, this poem is so lovely I guessed it was a father to a daughter It just had to be.!
February 14th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
A beautiful poem. Your daughter should be proud of her father proud.
Cheers,
Mark Butkus
February 14th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Wonderful thoughts–memories. I too, have a daughter, and felt deeply your words. Thank you, John! PEACE!
February 14th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
Wonderful sentiments to your daughter, sure she finds it nice to know not even Olympus can get inbetween.
February 15th, 2012 at 12:09 am
Beautiful John. And I love the quotation at the end.
February 15th, 2012 at 12:51 am
Lovely evocation of that total surrender that we can only give our children.
February 15th, 2012 at 1:33 am
I love this. Your love and pride come through loud and clear!
February 15th, 2012 at 4:07 am
you know…these are words every daughter needs to hear from her father…too many do not and they try to find it in all the wrong places….tops to you pops this hits the spot…
February 15th, 2012 at 4:33 am
love the sentiment of this..full of love and warm feel good !! 🙂
February 15th, 2012 at 4:54 am
oh wow…such beautiful words…full of deep love for your daughter…i bet it brings tears to her eyes when she reads it…
February 15th, 2012 at 11:10 am
“Had my arms held her forever?
That Olympus could not pry apart….”
John, you need to teach a daddy class… so much they could learn.
February 15th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Every daughter wants to hear those words, feel that kind of love from her father. All too many times men just don’t know how to express themselves. You do it so well… Chelsea is very lucky.
February 16th, 2012 at 12:29 am
Wonderful poem of love and memories. It’s a special love between father and daughter.
February 16th, 2012 at 12:34 am
Thanks for your visit. Especially welcome was your comment. I responded–you might sport a grin if you go read it, OK?
PEACE!
February 16th, 2012 at 2:11 am
Very sweet and lovely. I just lost my dad, so have been feeling strongly that special bond. K.
February 16th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Lovely. I still think of my son as a little boy, singing to his toys. Already composing, in his Superman suit, practicing flying on my arms and feet that held him over me. Love is! Thanks for the reminder.
February 16th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Crap John, you made me miss my Dad. Now I’m tearing up. Damn it.
February 20th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
A loving and beautiful poem, John. Clearly, you are blessed! Thanks for stopping by the other day. xxxj
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:08 pm
stirring and beautiful.
August 12th, 2012 at 4:38 am
John, another thing in common. I have but one child, a daughter who is off on her own, making hay in LA and indeed soaring! The pride we parents feel in our children as they make their first tentative steps off the floor, then off to Kindergarten, off to college, and finally taking wing, yes, it’s all so worth it! Here’s one about Riley for you:
Peace, Amy