Your little face Might just be proof for me of God's good grace You utterly bewitch me Your fancies so enrich me I want to be Your Abba'chka... How can I assure you That there's a God Though I s'pose you do not need it You naturally believe it... Holier than me My Dear Baby I so fear when you'll learn about "maybe" The hurts you'll know as onwards grow For much of life is simply show My Dear Baby I don't wanna say He ain't there for me Every day I watch you read and sing and learn and play Your birth gave me such purpose Of this I'm fully certain That I've so changed My love for you It flows red hot and it is bursting through... Wish I could protect you from painful disappointment When He misses His appointment But still I'll be Your Abba'chka... How can I assure you That there is a God Though I s'pose you do not need it You naturally believe it... Holier than me Your childish purity I cannot see Whom your eyes see But whenever you need me That's where I'll be
d’Verse
‘Open Link Night’
For today’s OLN, I’d like to share a poem that I wrote in August ’20, several months after I created this blog. As somebody who does not believe in a sentient, interventionalist god, it’s challenging for me not to poke holes in my first grade daughter’s youthful beliefs; but I always do my best to support her and her ideas. This poem reflects that inner tension.
Also, if you’re curious about such things, ‘Abba’chka’ is what she calls me. ‘Abba’ is ‘Daddy’ in Hebrew, and the suffix ‘chka’ is from Russian – it is a diminutive form. I made the name up for myself, and that’s what my daughter has always called me.
Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
This is so beautiful and touching. All will find their understanding and comfort. That’s destiny. ๐
I’m not so sure that all find their comfort….
You’re right. I may be one… And there is comfort in that too. ๐
This is so endearing a read ๐
๐ Soni ๐
Well expressed! Such an adorable photo!
So beautifully expressed – that difficult road parents tread. โฅ
๐ค Marion ๐ค – thanks!
What a touching beautiful poem David!!! I think. you see God when you look in your babies eyes.. at least it sounds like to me๐๐
โค โค Cindy โค โค – that's about as close as I come!
-David
๐That’s what i believe God is.. ๐
Such a tender poem.
๐ Judy ๐ – thank you!
-David
The hardest part is to let them be who they are. (K)
๐ Kerfe ๐
This is nothing but lovely. And good for you, in forbearing to impose your own (non)beliefs on her when she is perfectly glorious as is.
๐ค Thanks, Shay ๐ค
-David