Father's Day 2019

Maricris Duran Cabrera, Community Owner, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Daddy's Girl

Only a father could light up her face
only a father could bring her joy.
Tired as he was, as he plodded to the door
courage stern within.

Not old enough to do better
not old enough to stifle her cries
the day she woke up
and never to see him ever again.

She wept as if the sunless clouds
looked endless and cold
never knew she'd wet her hankies for him
desired story unsought.

Wished a star appeared tonight
from where she sat in his musk-scented corner
she knew he's watching her
she knew she will always be her daddy's girl.

© 2019 Maricris Cabrera 

David W Palmer, Community Owner, Auburn, Washington USA

A Kyrielle Sonnet for Father's Day, 2019

Standing stalwart, direct my steps
Point to the path good men have kept
Young eyes watching are taking notes
That he to righteous cause devotes

Twenty, he leaves to take up arms
Homeland attacked, embracing harm
Into the fray on shores remote
Thus, he to righteous cause devotes

Alive to faith, greater than self
The cause of Christ, his greatest wealth
So, may my life, as his promote
I,  to this righteous cause, devote.

Standing stalwart, direct my steps
Like him, to righteous cause devote.

© 2019 david w palmer

Top image, Dad (age 20) on U.S. Army induction day, December, 1941

Middle, four generations of Dad's family -- Dad, me, Bekah (grand-daugher) and Arianna (great grand-daughter)

dearest daddy
you first won her heart

identity,
beyond her name
came through your response,
pure worth as a woman --
she’s sought you all her life

that she knows
she’s beautiful, intelligent
confident to soar on morning wing
you made her believe
this all is possible

dearest daddy
still live to win her heart

© 2019 david w palmer
Gogyohka Sonnet: Father’s Day for Daughters

big strides
short legs keeping up

we took a walk
around the lake
the distance seemed so great
but I saw things
you taught me to perceive

we took a flight
around the world
on magic books you read
but from Scripture, and you, I knew
God’s love for me is real

big strides
still striving to keep up

© 2019 david w palmer

Gogyohka Sonnet: Father’s Day for Sons

Saroja Krishnamurthy, Community Administrator, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Dear dad,

To a daughter
Father is always the one
whom she can look up to
in any type of crisis

For me,
You always remain
A role model!

It's more than a decade
you left me
for your heavenly journey

Your memories
haunt me
in both my
Joyous and
Sorrowful moments

You were a gold mine
of knowledge
with a strong character
full of virtues,
yet you were so humble

You valued
relationships
rather than money

How can I forget
your generosity and
compassion
towards the poor
and the needy?
I have grown up
seeing you
feeding poor students
with food as well as
knowledge.

Your students
will never forget the
way you taught them
making them understand
difficult subjects
in a very simple way

You were an ideal husband,
brother, friend, teacher and
a very loving and
responsible father

You lived like a saint
quarrelled with none
most of all very forgiving
You showed me practically
how to lead life without
too much of attachments

I can feel your blessings
even now and
remember your enlightening
advice few days before
passing away.

I don't know
where your beautiful
soul is residing now.
But wherever you are
my only wish is for
your happiness.

By God's will
definitely
I will meet you
sometime along my
journey on this earth

On the occasion of
"Father's Day"
I miss you very much
my dear Pappa

With love,
Your's everloving daughter,
B.S.Saroja

Toni Leigh Turner Wong, Portland, Oregon, USA

My sweet Tone
he'd say to me
with a proud smile
When I was little
my eyes would light up
until I turned ten
they then teared up
for it was then that

our family split apart
and my daddy moved away
along with a big
piece of my heart
so the song I
soothed along with
went something like this...
"Daddy's coming
home today
home today
home today
Daddy's coming
home today
he's coming
home to stay."
Many a year later
through letters, phone calls,
and visits up unto
my adulthood and parenthood
my Daddy came home to stay.
While his light shineth
through each of his
loved ones it's true
his Spirit's often
heard and felt
undeniably too
it's just Daddy visiting
for his love still remains
this I do know...
His Spirit's ever alive
and his
tenderness of heart
still the same.

Happy Father's Day Dad

Digital Art and Verse
By (c) tltw 2019

Rasma Raisters, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

The Greatest Dad Ever

This is a poem I wrote about my dad for Father’s Day. It tells the whole story of my dad and me and my love for him.

It all began when I clutched your finger real tight
and you looked at me such delight.
I guess you and mom looked at me like a small miracle,
coming to you so late in life.
The romance was on for you and me,
what precious, precious things memories are.
Upon the hill in Owl’s Head Park,
playing Blind Man’s Bluff,
catching ball -
swinging on the swings.
Hand in hand and ever onward,
building snowmen until dark.
As the editor for the Latvian newspaper ”Laiks” or ”Time”,
you had Thursdays free from work.
Those were our days -
zoos, carousels, amusement parks.
The movies or walks in Manhattan’s parks.
Everywhere and anywhere,
this tall man and this one small little girl.
Mom thought we’d gone bats,
the day she came from work,
to see a tall grown man dancing on a street corner,
with a little girl laughing with glee.
It never ceased to amaze me,
the patience you had,
on the rug coloring in a coloring book,
showing me what Elvis looked like to you on T.V.,
never thought dad could move that way.
I wanted to learn to blow bubbles,
Bazooka bubble gum was all the rage.
You learned how to do it yourself
and taught me real quick.
I guess it only took around ten pieces,
once I learned not to spit them out.
Summer in the Catskills,
no hot city for your little daughter,
while you and mom worked.
I played and ran among the pines,
weekends it was you and I,
on the raft in the lake,
hunting for frogs and toads
and trying to catch grasshoppers in the weeds.
Walks along a country road,
a stop at the local country bar,
upon a stool, I sat perched like on a cliff.
Root beer for me and cold beer for you.
Summer treats not forgotten,
picking mushroom in the forest.
Things I wish I could remember,
but for now, can’t recall.
Then it was all over,
like the end of a movie.
Ten years we had the joy of knowing one another,
ten years and I longed for at least a dozen more.
Can’t believe how time as run by,
bet you and mom are dancing among those stars.
While I’ll reach out a hand for you,
down here below
and send you lots of hugs and kisses -
for I miss you so.

Another Father’s Day without you.....

Hope you all enjoy Father’s Day and if you still have your dad with you hug him tight and let him know you love him.

© 2019 R.Raisters

Iram "Kiean" Iradat, Karachi, Pakistan

Can we ever pay the price, of all they were worth?
How they loved, with all their might.

Some words left unsaid
Some feelings deprived
For what's left is longing
For a glimpse of your sight

© 2019 Kiean

'

Maria Elvira Fernandes Correia, Brazil

father... What can i tell about you?
to say you where a loving father
it is not need..
you, the most care for the Family

Yes, you a Brave man
Stubborn... but an easy going
personalize
working hard from morning till evening
there was no Rainy day to keep you at home

On the fields you sow the seeds of prosperity
to many people safe from hungry days
with shovel, rake, oxcart
at that time, there was no tractors

Then, you decide to move to a new Country
and business you made a real
still working hard from morning till evening
Industrious on the cooking

how i miss you lovely father
It has been more than many Years without you
Besides a friend, I Lost a counselor
On heaven rest in peace

Copyright © 2019 MEFC

Marilyn Ward, United Kingdom

Unspoken goodbye

My pen stutters through rivulet ink
Thinking of words I cannot speak
I never got to say goodbye
When you left upon a sigh
I see apples
That I cannot eat
For you wish to be buried
With a tree at your feet
I'm left with memories of the fun things you said
Repeating them to great-grandchildren you never met
These are the legacy of your time
And the sorrow left
With my Unspoken
Goodbye

© 2019 Mal ward

Lyn V Valdez, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China

A GOOD FATHER

Though they are not often with you,
Yet, they are yours too,
And truly you love them so...

Though they have their own thoughts,
Yet, you share your insights too,
For guiding them is all you can do...

Though you tried to give everything,
Yet, somehow it feels not enough ,
To strive harder just to see them grow...

For being a good father is enough for you,
The love ,the patience and the courage,
That's the most treasured thing you do...

(c) 2019 Ven-Lyn Valdez
Jaguar Ti Tambuli

Iwan Dartha, Community Moderator, Jakarta, Indonesia

News For My Father

Great breezy mystery
created time space
the cauldron widened
spreads thunder
chasing all
after faint births

Father, you're my beloved hero
The country independent
was your contribution too
But nation's children now
pinned by funny 'iPad'
lazy to read the history

Quiet poetry
real in grief
Staring at the eyes of the nation
wherever heartbeat languishes
the scent of the nation's hero
became more vague

Heroes remain skeptical
for the bourgeoisie
to be a vicious traitor
Father, this soul ammunition
I hold it tight
unanimous determination
intensified

© 2019 Iwan Dartha

Dolores Altea Lapinid, Marikina City, Philippines

My Papa

I was the first grandchild
from my father's side
Hence, my grandmother had always something
Simple gifts and surprises that she would be bringing.

Before he worked overseas
Papa never left me without a sweet kiss
Before my first birthday
He went away.

He worked overseas
For almost twenty years
He came home every summer
So our family would be together.

He stayed abroad
until he was old
I was already working ,
when he told me, "l won't be leaving."

Though we were apart for long years
Whenever I think of him, it brings me cheer
He inspired me in my activities
for he believed in my abilities.

After a decade of our togetherness
he left our hearts with fondness.
Papa, l am blessed to have you as my father
for you will be my inspiration forever. 

© 2019 Dolores Altea Lapinid

Shahid Abbas, Tandianwala, Pakistan

MY FATHER

Now I give all reasons
As no one can take your place as a father..
The love for a reason.
Truly a father dear with constant season..
Without constraint of your
noble arms you hold..
In your faith you made me live life from naive.
When mom passed away
Joining our Creator..
Through ups and down..
You brought me up with pleasure.
You took her place with tireless measure..
Through thick and think your loving care..
Your indefatigable share.
And your glorious magic wand..that cares
As you thought me the legacy of life and love
That no one can take your place..being a father to a son..
For this.. I cherish every inch of your existence..till my heart ceases to beat..
You're my great father to wit.

(c) 2019 Shahid Abbas

Matilde Cherchi, Sassari. Sardinia, Italy

Mio padre amava i colori
Mio padre amava mia madre
Mio padre innestava le rose
Mio padre era silenzioso
Mio padre parlava coi fiori

My father loved colors
My father loved my mother
My father grafted roses
My father was silent
My father spoke with flowers

© 2019 Matilde Cherchi

Richard M. Knittle, Jr. Azle,Texas

My father's son

As I sit here all alone in the dark
on this dirty floor, I wonder if it is going
to be my unchangeable destiny to
become my father's son, so full of
anger and disgust for not turning
out how he wanted me to be for in
his eyes I am a failure who could
never get it right, always shaking his
head when I come into his sight telling
my mother to ask me a question
while he is standing right there in
front of me " what the hell did
he do this time" then walking away
making me feel so little like I just
committed a heinous crime against
humanity for just being born, causing
me to hate my life so now I just want to
get high picking up the pipe rolling it like
I am playing dice gambling with my life
watching my dreams being completely
destroyed as I watch the reflection of
my pitiful self against the backdrop
of all the rising smoke while drowning
in a sea of deep regret and sorrow
telling myself just tonight then I will quit
tomorrow, but I never do because to tell
the truth I am an addict living proof of a
disease with no cure screaming for help
but never sure if it will ever come as I go
numb so afraid that I will succumb one
day to my demons from who I run from
hiding in the darkness of the rising sun
hating me, myself and I always trying hard
to remember in my mixed up mind to
never forgive who I have finally become
just like it was the fate for being destined to
be what I have always been in my pitiful
wasted and pathetic life in which I live
every single day waking up in the morning
then looking in the mirror at my reflection of
the man that I now am and who he said I
would become for I am now my father's son.

Poet Richard M Knittle Jr.
A #Poets Journey

Mary Lynn Luiz, Winter Haven Florida, USA

My Loving Father

How grateful I am, that I've come
to stand firm in the disciplines
of your gentle teaching hands!

From the date of my birth,
I've been blessed on this earth, by your lessons
taught and learned instilling the foundations of my worth!

As a young child at home, and away
you encouraged me to roam, run, and play!
To say, "Yes Sir, Yes Ma'am, Thank you!", and teaching me how to pray!

You taught me to live. Like you.
Peaceably by the Golden Rule!
To seek power from God and favor with men, too!

To be grateful and content,
However, the circumstances bent.
To give thanks to God. for all we had or lent!

The storms of life, are temporary,
everyone has them, some will come with great furry.
They will not last, but for a season, so try not to be or get, in a hurry!

It's in the storms and trials of life,
that great souls are made! They maybe thrashed about,
sifted or molded on the potter’s wheel like clay!

You taught me to be strong and of freewill.
To be myself, uncommonly, uniquely complete!
Not to compete or conform to others expectations of me!

To take responsibility for my decisions!
That failures are not defeats, but experiences.
Valuable life lesson leading to success without concessions!

Never to put, anything or anyone
above God in my heart or life. He must remain number one!
That I can trust Him totally, as you have always done!

I look at you, Dad, with so much love in my heart!
Through tears of gratefulness, that you did your part!
I've come to realize, I'm the very reflection of your heart!

I just pray, that I will be the loving parent to my children
as you were to me! And that they, will grow up to say of me,
"I was so blessed to have a loving father like you!

© 2019 Mary Lynn Luis

Mari Felices, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China

To the most handsome man in my life,
My father Esteban Felices.
The best father in this world,
Sa subrang bait, inaabuso.

MY IDEAL MAN

Your eyes are always looking at me
watching me day and night,
your ears are always ready to listen,
in my failure and young heartache.

You are always there all the time,
who supports me and gives me hope,
your hands are always ready to help me,
to stand me up if I fall.

You are my ideal man, my idol,
the first man whom I loved from the very start,
your understanding and forgiveness are countless,
and your love for me is unending.

I'm a daddy's girl, a daddy's pet,
that's why I compared you to those man I had met.
I know it was really unfair,
but I found out no one could be like you.

My father, my ideal man, my idol,
I don't know what to do to say thank you,
I did not say it before but I love you,
I cannot show it but I care for you.

One thing I can promise you, my dad,
don't worry, 'cause I never try to fed up to love you,
I will take care of you,
if you're already old and grey.
I love you, papa!
miss you so much...

© 2019 Mari Felices

Happy birthday papa
Happy father's day