Disasters, Delights and Other Detours - 64. Portraits of My Father

My father was a pipe smoker. And yes, cleaning, tamping down and all the other little tasks were as much part of the ritual as the actual smoking. In later years, he was banished to the study for a smoke. Thank you for this memory.

beautiful, vivid - thank you!

These are sweet and vivid. They made me smile.

23 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

These are sweet and vivid. They made me smile.

Thank you, tim. Remembering these has brought many smiles to me; and I’m glad they do the same for you. 

1 hour ago, mayday said:

beautiful, vivid - thank you!

Thank you for reading these. If you gained a glimpse of my father, that’s grand. 

1 hour ago, Wayne Gray said:

These are all very nice and the imagery vivid. Well done, Parker.

Thanks, Wayne. I really appreciate your taking time to read these. 

2 hours ago, mayday said:

beautiful, vivid - thank you!

Thank you so very much for reading them.

3 hours ago, Valkyrie said:

These are lovely portraits of your father.   I particularly liked turning the soil into tomatoes.  

I think I grow more varieties of tomatoes now than Dad did. But he showed me how to plant and tend a garden, despite my mulish teenage resistance. I’m grateful for his patience now. Thank you for reading! 

3 hours ago, northie said:

My father was a pipe smoker. And yes, cleaning, tamping down and all the other little tasks were as much part of the ritual as the actual smoking. In later years, he was banished to the study for a smoke. Thank you for this memory.

 

I think the ritual was as important to Dad as the smoke, too. I can still smell it. I’m glad this brought you as good a memory as I gave me. 

Beautiful ode to dad, and very moving. I think I need a tissue.

Beautiful.

1 hour ago, Geron Kees said:

Beautiful ode to dad, and very moving. I think I need a tissue.

 

I’m very glad these touched you. These snapshots haven’t faded over time. Thanks very much for reading!

51 minutes ago, chris191070 said:

Beautiful.

Thank you. I’m very glad you thought so. 

Oh what joy ... to take your memories and paint them in words that we too might share in them.

My grandfather smoked half 'n half in his pipe. He would sit by the window in the darkened kitchen to smoke and listen to the baseball game on the radio. I can close my eyes and smell the smoke, see the cherry glow of his pipe and hear the excited murmur of the announcer. 

Thank you.

1 hour ago, dughlas said:

Oh what joy ... to take your memories and paint them in words that we too might share in them.

My grandfather smoked half 'n half in his pipe. He would sit by the window in the darkened kitchen to smoke and listen to the baseball game on the radio. I can close my eyes and smell the smoke, see the cherry glow of his pipe and hear the excited murmur of the announcer. 

Thank you.

You’re most welcome. Even today, the scent on newly lit tobacco has me looking around for dad. He left me preferring radio sports and a penchant for gardening, among other things. I’m glad these could evoke good memories for you. Thanks for reading!

I must tell you, Parker, when I saw the title, I couldn't click on it. I still carry too much emotional baggage for my 'father' and my stepfather. I finally worked up the courage, and a s per usual with your poetry, I loved these little glimpses. I don't have memories such as these, but I have some good ones, and these made me smile and recall something I had forgotten about. Thank you.  

8 hours ago, Headstall said:

I must tell you, Parker, when I saw the title, I couldn't click on it. I still carry too much emotional baggage for my 'father' and my stepfather. I finally worked up the courage, and a s per usual with your poetry, I loved these little glimpses. I don't have memories such as these, but I have some good ones, and these made me smile and recall something I had forgotten about. Thank you.  

What makes me sad is that anything I’ve written might give you such apprehension. What gladdens my heart is knowing these snapshots made you smile and recall something worthwhile. I know there are others who will one day remember you with smiles, too. You were very kind to read and comment on these. Thank you.

Aww :). Nice to read fun poetry about dads in a complimentary way. Thank you for this!

1 hour ago, BDANR said:

Aww :). Nice to read fun poetry about dads in a complimentary way. Thank you for this!

I’m very glad you liked these. Thanks very much for reading them!