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Thursday, June 13, 2024

Poetry Friday - Celebrating Fathers


created by Linda Mitchell


It's Poetry Friday, and Denise Krebs is hosting HERE on her blog, Dare to Care. Visit Denise to learn about a new form, "the sacred seven" and then read the thoughtful poem she crafted in that form! Thanks for hosting, Denise! 



There are several themes to choose at this time in June. It's ALMOST the first day of summer, next Wednesday is Juneteenth, and Sunday is Father's Day. Today, I'm giving a shout to all the fathers, real or otherwise, in my life. 
         Many of you know that my father was killed in action in World War II. He was a pilot and his plane was shot down in Leyte Gulf, the Philippines, never recovered. I was two. My mother and I were already living with her parents, dear grandparents whose home became my home until later when my mother re-married. My father's parents were dear to me, too, and I spent a month there every summer from the time I was about eight. And, my step-father's mother became a third dear grandmother. His father was already gone when they married.

There's no date on this old picture, just a note on the back that
says "a splendid couple"! These are my maternal grandparents, Sarah Ann Morris
(from whom my daughter received her name) and James Hardy Coleman.


           With my own fathers and grandfathers, watching my late husband become a most wonderful father, and now watching my son, son-in-law, and brother as great fathers, I know how special that role in a child's life can be, starting with my own life. My mother's father, "Pop" to me, the first "dad" in my memory, was a farmer, feed store owner, and full of wise support to me all my years until he passed. He is who taught me that all people deserve respect and love. I never heard him say anything bad about anyone. He and I spoke on the phone often when I moved further away. The poem that fits, the poem that is him is this one. In my own memories, I see the washing up with that grainy bar, while I waited to be with Pop at the end of the day. I wonder if any of you connect with Lava soap in your memories!
         I am aware that Father's Day may be a sad one for some, am hopeful that you will find a way to honor fathers, whether in your lives directly or by only seeing them in your daily lives. 

         David Allan Evans was the poet laureate of the state of South Dakota from 2002 to 2014. The poem can also be found in Ted Kooser's The Poetry Home Repair Manual.




 

21 comments:

  1. Linda, I so loved reading about the fathers in your life. You have had / have so many good men doing a great job at being a father. What a blessings to so many! Such a strong image of the newspaper man washing his hands with Lava soap. Your photo of your mom's parents is precious. They look down home and grounded, though your grandfather looks like he could be mischievous.

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    1. Thanks, Denise! Despite the loss, I had a childhood surrounded by wonderful family members, good memories!

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  2. I don't know of Lava soap - though that may also be a geographical thing. What a wonderful poem - with the clever hand to hand to hand digression. And such a beautiful photo of your grandparents. But the comment is the best! What a way to be remembered!

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    1. Lava soap is a bar full of grit that helps to scrub off the dirt, Kat! I'm glad you enjoyed the poem and my sharing. Thank you!

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  3. I think my dad used Lava soap sometimes too. Enjoyed the poem and learning about the wonderful fathers and grandfathers in your life, Linda. Thanks, too, for sharing that wonderful photo (love Pop's overalls)! :)

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    1. Thanks, Jama, I imagine your dad did use it, a common soap for workmen of all kinds, I think. Pop wore overalls often but sometimes those 'dressier?' khakis when he was at the store. I love the photo, too! I've been going through old photos and it was a great discovery!

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  4. My spouse still uses lava soap! I think he must have started using it when he worked as a bike mechanic after college. Love the recollection of all the wonderful father-figures in your life, Linda.

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    1. It's a soap that really cleans when you need it, Buffy, from grease & garden dirt! Thanks for sharing and coming by!

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  5. What a nice remembrance of your father figures, and how thankful I am for the men who fill that role! I relate to this post through the previous poet laureate of my state, who I heard read in person several times, and through the poem. A lot of Lava scrubbed a lot of dirt off my dad, who did road construction and other dirt-moving jobs. Thanks for the memory of that powerful soap! —Jane Heitman Healy

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    1. Thanks, Jane, I love hearing about your dad! Lava has been around for a while!

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  6. Linda, I love your storytelling ability and photos. You grew up in such a different locale than me that I always excited to read your memories. What you offer today is a beautiful tribute to the fathers in your life. I was also touched to hear that your son, son-in-law, and brother are great fathers. I know you will be thinking about your entire family including you own father and husband this Sunday so enjoy the day. I do remember Lava soap but don't recall what we used in our family when I was young.

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  7. I'm familiar with Lava soap, I don't know if it's still available around here…Thanks for this Heartfelt, story poem especially "the morning news that lava can't rub off," he packed so much in. Thanks also for sharing the pic of your grandparents, lots of depth and character there, and for honoring fathers!

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  8. Linda: This is so evocative. Of course, I do remember Lava soap. I think my dad and brothers used it after greasy jobs under car hoods. I remember it was gritty and not as slippery as other soaps. I'm so glad you had good grandpas and other father figures. I remember my dad's hands: clean and strong and gentle. I agree, it is a singular pride and joy to see my son as he father's his brood. Thanks for these memories.

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  9. Thanks, Carol, Michelle, and Karen. Despite the sadness, I had a wonderful childhood with loving family members and lots of good memories. That Lava soap connected to my grandfather has certainly stayed with me.

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  10. What an honor to the fathers in your life, Linda --a true legacy and reminder of their role in forming you and now your children.

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  11. Such a touching tribute to all those fathers - and the poem made me think of that soap, though I think it had a different name in Australia. I remember the texture and smell, but not the name.

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  12. Linda, I love the pic of your grandparents, especially the way she's holding onto Pop. What a blessing to have these other father figures in your life. I imagine you look forward to meeting your father someday. I've been watching Masters of the Air (on Apple TV+). It's given me insight into the heroism of our Air Force. They were such young men. Blessings to you and your family for your dad's sacrifice.

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  13. Thanks, Patricia, Sally, & Ramona! It's a special time to honor all our fathers!

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  14. How lucky are we who have known good fathers and father figures! I lost my own father several years ago, and I miss him terribly, though at least now the pain of his loss is tempered by all the many, many years of happy memories. Watching my partner become an amazing father to our son has been such an incredible gift, too.

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  15. What a beautiful post and tribute to all the fathers in your life, Linda. So moving. And yes, I remember Lava soap! :) Great poem.

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