The creator of The Poet's Notebook says, "Imagine that your mother or father has found this notebook, and read all of its contents." It was an odd exercise for me to write a letter to my father, anticipating his reaction.
You're wondering about this girl, this woman.
You're shocked by her thoughts and her eloquence.
You morn her absence in your life.
You're nearly positive she's never called you "Daddy."
The title is sweet and inappropriate for your relationship.
You wonder if you can try again:
To know her
To love her
To protect her
To celebrate her
But you know:
You marred your relationship forever.
She will never feel safe with you. She hates you.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Poetry reading elves
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
wow Sherry. This begins in a sort of imaginative form, but then, as you develop your voice, it becomes visceral. The last line is so primitive -- and so good -- that I did not know how to deal with it. I think this is especially so because a. I have never heard you speak of your father and b. I have never heard you use the word 'hate.' Not even in regard to a movie, or a book, or a piece of art. Not once that I can recall.
I have similar feelings toward my father, ones that were built up out of poor experiences. But based on this poem, it seems you have not even had the experiences -- you have had nothing. I am so sorry for you, and not in a pitiful way, but in an empathetic, 'damn, I almost know how you feel, but not really' sort of way.
I hope you are well, that school preparations are going ok, and that this exercise somehow brings about healing.
Your words are so powerful and full of meaning. I love the genuineness of the poem. And, I love you!
I totally wouldn't call this a poem. It's a response to my dad finding my poetry. It seems too simple and it lacks any figurative language or imagery. Maybe an unintentionally poetic response...
Keith,
My dad was physically present until my parents divorced when I was a sophomore in high school. We wished he would have left sooner! It was strangely healing to write this. I've learned to pretend that my dad doesn't exist, and it was weird to realize how much I resent his absence (especially in the last few years). I knew I hated him, but I didn't know I wanted him to know me. I stumbled across this exercise and it forced to me think.
I wonder if there was something in the california drinking water back in '96 or so. I think it was my freshman year of high school though, which would be your 8th grade year?
Anyway Sherry, thanks for sharing this.
Oh and I regret not hanging out with you last night. I had to work and whatnot, but if I had it might have prevented me from completely destroying an already bad haircut. Thought I would save some money, but not I'm bald. Well....I have a five o'clock shadow all over my head. Let's put it that way.
I'd be really bummed out if it weren't so funny.
Thanks for sharing - I feel for you, and hurt with you at the absence of your dad.
I hope you had a great first day of classes.
Stephanie
Post a Comment