"father, father"
father, father—
you’d call out from the back room
as though the sound alone
could steady the rafters.
I kept a narrow plot behind the house,
panes catching the early light,
a place where I could watch
what you were becoming.
You thought it was only a greenhouse,
but I built it so you’d have somewhere
to set your questions down.
You’d wander in, barefoot,
asking how things grow,
why some shoots falter
and others rise without prompting.
I’d answer in the plain way I knew,
not because the lessons were simple
but because you needed them
without ornament.
father, father—
you’d say it again
when a line refused its place,
when a page felt uneven
or too heavy in its weight.
I’d show you how to lift the soil,
how to read the roots
without unsettling them,
how to wait for the right hour
before touching anything at all.
You never noticed
how often I stood at the door
listening to you read aloud
to no one,
testing each phrase
like fruit in your hands.
I didn’t interrupt.
Some things find their moment
only when left alone.
father, father—
you’d call from the threshold
when the day turned difficult,
and I’d answer
the way I always did:
step inside,
take what you need,
leave what you can’t carry yet.
I didn’t teach you poems.
I only built the place
where they could take shape.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: September 6th, 2026 06:14
- Comment from author about the poem: Thoughts put together in the lead up to the occasion of Fathers' Day (06 September 2026)
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 42
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy, sorenbarrett, Friendship, Tristan Robert Lange, Paul Bell
Offline)
Comments12
Thanks for the Fave @Cheeky Missy.
A good father has a delicate balancing act. As mortals we can only do our best.
Indeed. It isn't the easiest gig on the planet. Lots of mercy, grace, and anointing required... not to mention a real humility/meekness. 🙏🏻🕊️
Always, R
Lovely thoughtful write
Thanks my friend 🙏🏻🕊️
most welcome
Cryptic what a marvelous multi leveled poem of the father role, be it God, real father, teacher, father figure of any type. How help is given best not by doing for but teaching one to provide for themselves, not giving a fish but teaching how to fish and feeding one for a lifetime. So nicely put in metaphor of a garden space and providing the tools and space to learn. Being there quietly with wisdom to to tell and create resistance but available for true desired questions. A masterful work my friend
Totally chuffed that you mentioned father figures of any type as far too many of us have a distinct lack of fathers and fathering in the traditional, run of the mill, biological kind of way. Many, many thanks dear Soren 🙏🏻🕊️
Always a pleasure my friend
Tremendous work.
Most appreciative dear Thomas 🙏🏻🕊️
there is something both inherently relatable & natural here .. dependable too & in so many ways .. Neville
That's so good to hear my friend! 🙏🏻🕊️
Beautifully written
Thanks, Friendship. Most appreciated 🙏🏻🕊️
What a lovely poem, arqios. The father never needs to explain himself or take credit…he simply creates the space, tends it patiently, and lets the child grow into whatever is waiting there. Tender, wise, and beautifully restrained, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
None of that helicoptering of late and the iron fist of yesteryore. Thanks Tittu. 🙏🏻🕊️
Good write A. The UK had it in June!
That is did. Still escapes me why they shifted to September and kept it there some 80+ years and still going.
A lovely Poem on Father and Child .
It must be too late in the night and too early in the day for you! Thank you so much for reading and sharing your much valued comment dear friend. 🙏🏻🕊️
Yes I'm a Night Owl. And my Pleasure.
Must admit when I was a kid other fathers would come out and play football with us, it was a great learning curve, and one I continued when I got older.
That is an excellent testimonial. I learned ball from cousins and uncles. Dad was a bit late to the game. But he turned around eventually. Mos glad to hear you personal story! Always, R.👍🏻🕊️
Lovely tribute ✌️
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