This Poem was Submitted By: Nancy Ann Hemsworth On Date: 2007-07-03 00:01:10 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!To Listen to Music While Reading this Poem, just Click Here!
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Dad...
Black and white
Photograph
1940 something
You standing there
Framed
Before me...
Before it all happened
Had you known
Would you have posed
Stood there
Been captured
So easily? |
|
Copyright © July 2007 Nancy Ann Hemsworth
Additional Notes:
Just a bit of purging,a little questioning, brought on by an old photograph. My father died when I was a girl, and so many questions left unanswered.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2007-08-05 14:09:00
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Nancy, I like this piece. I am quite sentimental about my father’s absence. Since he passed, I think often to the meanings he left me.
Of course your title holds us- we know the subject, and wonder at the reason. You went informal with “dad†and not formal with “fatherâ€- I believe this represents his meaning to your life as a child; which remains so to this day- that memory. Growing up; I can only imagine the many thoughts and emotions that would have played and formed my life had my father not been there. The simple childlike longing alone would have restructured the rest of my life.
Black and white
Photograph – Poignant, is all I can think of with these lines. We instantly become a part- not necessarily of the individual feelings, more of the stasis of time- and how we would react; it is a living testament- from long ago.
You standing there
Framed – Choice of words is important. You chose “framedâ€. I know it is a picture, but the choice could have been different. With it you grant us the present day viewing of an icon- but also share with us the young memories that remain “framed†as truth as well. It was a wise choice of words, whether conscious or particular.
“Before it all happened†– the occurrence that cost you your father- but you ask that question, or questions- and it is much as a child again. How many questions would I have asked, or maybe tantrums thrown? When you speak of “captured†in the sense of the photograph, I wonder if there were other interactions that captured him, and prevented him from returning. You leave us to decide. In this verse- I wish for a clue. Yet, you leave us with your emotion and maybe it wouldn’t have mattered that much anyways. Your testament is that realization.
Well done.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2007-08-02 00:46:18
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.85714
Nancy,
I've been meaning to review this earlier and the times were not in my favor.
I like this and can relate to this. I had an absent parent and know her only by photographs.
It is strange to study a virtual stranger's picture and have so many questions.
They are close to you blood wise and yet who/what kind of person were they?
Thank God for pictures capturing their essence.
Good job, bringing forth memories.
Dellena
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2007-07-22 17:12:53
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Nancy,
So poignant and to the point. Many of us have questions about our parents, the things that are never spoken that could fill in the gaps between memory and story. An easy read that puts the reader to wonder about one's own blanks.
Best always,
Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2007-07-15 01:30:37
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Nancy,
Memories can be so powerful ! And photographs serve as time capsules. The emotion that runs through this piece can be felt as you stare at a photograph of your father and ask questions. Life can be very difficult to decipher most of the time and I figure from this piece that you never did get to be with your dad or that he left you early in your childhood.
'Before me...
Before it all happened
Had you known
Would you have posed'.
Your beginning. 'black and white photograph' can be such a deep line. It might be interpreted to depict a colorless childhood in the absence of your father - it might even serve to underline the state of vacuum during that moment in time (where your memory and his meet - through the picture).
The surface simplicity of the poem belies it's depth. Thanks for letting us in on your memory.
Duane.
This Poem was Critiqued By: James C. Horak On Date: 2007-07-13 12:20:33
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
The vast unresolved, an heritage denied no child should endure,
much less carry into adulthood. We attempt, especially as children,
to see ourselves through the eyes of others, to barometer our self-
worth, to mitigate our doubts.
In your last stanza is the ultimate concern, "am I adequate to be
owned up to?"
I'm certain you are, proudly.
By anyone caring.
You poem has the universal value of touching us all for all of us
have had these moments, perhaps, though, without such early loss
and its finality.
JCH
This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2007-07-11 15:54:25
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Nancy....what a heart rendering poem this is about your Dad. It leads me to believe he was in the second world war. If that is true was he captured and did he pass away there? There are times when I see an old photo the memories assault my mind so fast I can't keep up and I think that is what happened to you. Even painful memories should be treasured as they are all a part of who we are. I like the form you used for this poem as it is like the quick images and thoughts we have when something like an old photo reminds us. It is so sad you never had your father long enough to really know him. I enjoyed this one...well done.
blessings....Marilyn
This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2007-07-09 14:45:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Dear Nancy,
Quite a poignant piece; and granted your questions are necessary to release the emotional feeling regarding your loss. I believe we can mourn the loss of someone we never fully quite had the chance to know. I certainly, mourned the loss of my still-born daughter back in 1983. I never had the chance to know her - yet the pain then was still so much to bear. Perhaps no questions as in your case; but still a relation to loss of someone dear.
How did you loose your father? You say, Would you have posed; stood there been captured so easily? My take is, he had an unexpected death - something sudden without warning.
This poem, brought back a memory I had tucked away; your emotions are strong, clear and the piece is easy to read and flows well.
I don't have anything to add; it stands on it's own merit; as a delicate part of your life.
sincerely,
Denimari
This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2007-07-05 09:32:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Nancy,
Interesting take on the photograph. Searching for the answers, wondering if only he knew what was to come about and how life would take its turn. I read this several times for it has depth and it is only in black and white.
Thanks for sharing, Thomas
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2007-07-05 02:48:27
Critiquer Rating During Critique: Unknown
Hi Nancy.....Dad, an old black and white picture brings back memories of my own dad........he too died young but I had no questions left to be answered......without having more to go on my mind travels in a few directions with the words you present within the structure of the poem. I feel your sorrow though with all those questleft unanswered. God Bless, Claire
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