Dear Reader

Tom C Dylan

A lot of writers have

the one, 

this one reader,

the one they are writing for.

 

Some write for their wives,

passing them crumpled pages,

others for their closest friends,

reading their work aloud.

 

For me it has always been

my father, my dad.

He's read every single story,

and marked each one 

with a school-teacher precision.

 

He's always on hand

for writing support and advice,

over a glass of whiskey,

and to insist that this one

particular story

didn't quite make sense.

 

Don't ask me, I reply,

I don't know what it means.

I just wrote the thing.

 

If he says my story is good, 

that is high-praise indeed,

a glowing five-star review,

and that it has 

a beginning, a middle

and end.

 

My one man reading panel,

what would he say if he 

ever read this poem?

He would look at me

over his reading glasses,

a wry smile on his face,

and insist that

one man

should have a hyphen.

  • Author: Tom C Dylan (Offline Offline)
  • Published: January 17th, 2024 07:23
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 26
  • User favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet.
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Comments8

  • orchidee

    A fine write Tom.

    • Tom C Dylan

      Thanks a lot. Appreciated.

    • Cassie58

      I think he would be proud Tom.

      • Tom C Dylan

        Thanks a lot, Cassie. Maybe if I'm feeling brave I'll show him. We have this debate over what is one word, two words or hyphenated. 🙂

      • Teddy.15

        LOL I do absolutely love your originality, I am thinking he would look at you strangely and then smile with his heart aglow, and then once he sees how many people have read your poem he may well have just another sip of whiskey and in a gentleman fashion cry with pride behind his smile. Although I could be wrong please do tell. Lol 🤗

        • Tom C Dylan

          Thanks a lot, Teddy. Really appreciate your comments. Yeah, you may be right about his reaction. Watch this space, I'll let you know. 🙂

        • GenXer Shamrocker ☘️

          A special tribute to your father! Good write!

          • Tom C Dylan

            Thanks a lot. Really appreciated.

          • Accidental Poet

            Give your dad an A+ with a star. 🌟

            • Tom C Dylan

              Thanks, AP. He reads all my stories and even subjects himself to my poems. 🙂

              • Accidental Poet

                My dad never read my poems while he was alive, but I hope he does now in Heaven. 😊

              • Thomas W Case

                Superb work, great setup and twist. It comes together perfectly.

                • Tom C Dylan

                  Thanks, Thomas. Really appreciated, mate.

                • Goldfinch60

                  As Cassie has said I am sure he would be proud Tom.

                  Andy

                  • Tom C Dylan

                    Thanks so much, Andy. Really appreciated. Cheers, Tom.

                  • Neville



                    there is more than one stroke of genius referred to on this page ..

                    • Tom C Dylan

                      Thanks, Neville. Really appreciated.



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