My Father
visited the roadhouse on days after
a brawl to pay for damage to the premises
fought on the battlefields of France in WW I
held a classified position at home three decades later
writhed and moaned during a recurring nightmare
about a kitten, coat and railroad station
drank whiskey, shot craps on Saturdays
taught Bible class on Sunday mornings
tried to live according to the teachings of Christ
yet rejected the concept, Son of God
ran his thumb through a power saw right after
he finished teaching a class on safety
read philosophy, history, Shakespeare, the Psalms
delighted in Peanuts, Pogo and musical theatre
6 thoughts on "My Father"
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Sounds like an interesting guy! I loved this.
Can feel his personality coming out in your voice. The couplets as bullet points work well here.
wonderful description of this person’s many-faceted character
Mary, This is excellent! By skillfully portraying your father, you expose the complexities of us as humans. Going from shooting craps to Bible studies! Love it.
I love it that he went back and paid for the damages! Like the rest of us flawed humans, it is a virtue is that we keep trying.
Love this affectionate description of your father – his complicated character and sometimes diametrically opposed beliefs! Whiskey, craps and bible class! Hilarious!