Father, or: Daughter

Posted on by ben Alexander

A ‘puente’ poem

Moments too often come
When existence feels worthless
My living feels worthless
I'm worthless; and then
I want to protect you 
From myself; to be alive
For you; to make 
Sure you know:

~There's nothing scary hiding under your bed~

There's nothing you can't achieve
There's nothing you can't accomplish
There's nothing you can't conquer
There's nothing holding you back
There's no lurking trauma 
In living your life to the utmost
There's no detriment
In living fully as yourself

W3 poetry prompt

This week’s W3 poetry prompt, hosted by Tanmay Philip, is to:

  1. Write a “Puente” poem;
  2. The middle stanza should contain the title of a song;
    • You can add more words to the middle stanza if you wish.

*OOPS! I just realized that the prompt was to use the title of a song… and I accidentally used a line from the song I selected… I’ll write another “puente” poem and submit that one for W3.

I selected a line from Paul Simon’s song ‘Father and Daughter’.

d’Verse poetics: This Valentine’s Day, come and state it plainly

At d’Verse writers have been prompted to write love poems, bearing in mind that they don’t need to be romantic. They can also be dark and speak of ache and loss. They can transcend words and language. They can describe what the heart has been carrying within for a long time. The possibilities are endless.

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!

48 thoughts on “Father, or: Daughter”

  4. There are certainly things to be frightened, but not under the bed. Strong write David… ✌🏼❣️

  7. Love this beautifully written and heartfelt teaching

    ~There’s nothing scary hiding under your bed~
    There’s nothing you can’t achieve There’s nothing you can’t accomplish
    There’s nothing you can’t conquer There’s nothing holding you back There’s no lurking trauma In living your life to the utmost
    There’s no detriment In living fully as yourself

    For the young child, older man/woman.

  10. This is such a beautiful poem, David. You paint a picture here, filled with such striking contrast. The depressed father who suddenly gains hope when he gazes at the apple of his eye. And the middle stanza works so well here.

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