Requiem (For My Father)
The pain of losing someone who overshadowed your life20 total reviews
Comment from Jasmine Girl
It looked like your dad was a great dad who did many fun things with you and his wife. You painted a great portrait of your dad. I can see him using the drills and building the telescope. Yes, the mountain in German Alps. I have been there.
Well done. Deepest condolence.
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2025
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It looked like your dad was a great dad who did many fun things with you and his wife. You painted a great portrait of your dad. I can see him using the drills and building the telescope. Yes, the mountain in German Alps. I have been there.
Well done. Deepest condolence.
Comment Written 20-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2025
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Thanks so much for the sympathetic words of support. My dad's death got me thinking of all these little people who make all these little contributions to the world that are soon forgotten as the world whirls on without them. estory
Comment from bob cullen
This is a beautiful tribute that talks about two very good and important people. A father who provided for his son and a son who cared for his father. Well written.
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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This is a beautiful tribute that talks about two very good and important people. A father who provided for his son and a son who cared for his father. Well written.
Comment Written 20-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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Thanks so much for the encouraging words in support of my poem. estory
Comment from Pearl Edwards
This is an emotional poem for and about your dad, and the busy life he had. His generosity, giving to others in need but also your own loss, but also the wonderful memories that will stay with you. Beautifully written.
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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This is an emotional poem for and about your dad, and the busy life he had. His generosity, giving to others in need but also your own loss, but also the wonderful memories that will stay with you. Beautifully written.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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Thanks so much for the excellent review and your wonderful words of support. estory
Comment from jacquelyn popp
Few poems capture the depth of loss and remembrance as beautifully as Requiem (For My Father). This profoundly moving elegy is more than a farewell-it is a tribute, a reflection, and a testament to the indelible mark a father leaves on the world and the people he loved. I was deeply touched by this piece, as it masterfully conveys the pain of losing someone who overshadowed your life-someone whose presence was so vast, so integral, that their absence feels almost incomprehensible.
The repetition of "Gutte nacht, mein Vatter, gutte nacht" throughout the poem is particularly striking. It not only gives the piece a rhythmic, almost hymnal quality but also reinforces the intimacy of the farewell. This is not just a goodbye; it is a deeply personal, tender send-off, one that acknowledges both grief and gratitude.
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is how it juxtaposes sorrow with relief. The lines "You are free from that stroke now, / And what it did to you" bring a sense of solace, as they recognize that suffering has ended. The imagery of the father regaining his abilities-walking, talking, eating chocolate, playing chess-paints a poignant picture of restoration, as though in death, he is finally whole again. The poet's love is evident not just in mourning the father's passing, but in celebrating the return of all he once was.
Yet, the poem does not only focus on personal memories. It expands outward, highlighting the father's selflessness and the good he brought to the world-the meals delivered to those in need, the checks written quietly for struggling families, the craftsmanship left behind in the form of curtains, cabinets, and tools. These details give us a portrait of a man who lived with purpose and generosity, making the reader feel the weight of his absence not just in the poet's life, but in the lives of many others.
The final stanzas are breathtaking in their emotional power. The poet imagines his father reunited with his mother, sailing across the Sound, climbing mountains, and perhaps even reaching the moon. This celestial imagery is both comforting and grand-suggesting that while he is gone from this world, he is not lost. His spirit continues, free and unbound.
I enjoyed your poem immensely, not because it is simply a piece of writing, but because it is a profound experience. It carries the weight of grief, the beauty of memory, and the solace of knowing that love endures beyond life. Requiem (For My Father) is not just a tribute to one man-it is a universal testament to the lasting impact of those we love. Thank you for sharing such a deeply heartfelt and unforgettable piece.
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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Few poems capture the depth of loss and remembrance as beautifully as Requiem (For My Father). This profoundly moving elegy is more than a farewell-it is a tribute, a reflection, and a testament to the indelible mark a father leaves on the world and the people he loved. I was deeply touched by this piece, as it masterfully conveys the pain of losing someone who overshadowed your life-someone whose presence was so vast, so integral, that their absence feels almost incomprehensible.
The repetition of "Gutte nacht, mein Vatter, gutte nacht" throughout the poem is particularly striking. It not only gives the piece a rhythmic, almost hymnal quality but also reinforces the intimacy of the farewell. This is not just a goodbye; it is a deeply personal, tender send-off, one that acknowledges both grief and gratitude.
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is how it juxtaposes sorrow with relief. The lines "You are free from that stroke now, / And what it did to you" bring a sense of solace, as they recognize that suffering has ended. The imagery of the father regaining his abilities-walking, talking, eating chocolate, playing chess-paints a poignant picture of restoration, as though in death, he is finally whole again. The poet's love is evident not just in mourning the father's passing, but in celebrating the return of all he once was.
Yet, the poem does not only focus on personal memories. It expands outward, highlighting the father's selflessness and the good he brought to the world-the meals delivered to those in need, the checks written quietly for struggling families, the craftsmanship left behind in the form of curtains, cabinets, and tools. These details give us a portrait of a man who lived with purpose and generosity, making the reader feel the weight of his absence not just in the poet's life, but in the lives of many others.
The final stanzas are breathtaking in their emotional power. The poet imagines his father reunited with his mother, sailing across the Sound, climbing mountains, and perhaps even reaching the moon. This celestial imagery is both comforting and grand-suggesting that while he is gone from this world, he is not lost. His spirit continues, free and unbound.
I enjoyed your poem immensely, not because it is simply a piece of writing, but because it is a profound experience. It carries the weight of grief, the beauty of memory, and the solace of knowing that love endures beyond life. Requiem (For My Father) is not just a tribute to one man-it is a universal testament to the lasting impact of those we love. Thank you for sharing such a deeply heartfelt and unforgettable piece.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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Few members, as a matter of fact, none to date, have written as comprehensive and in depth review as this one; and I am completely overwhelmed by your encouraging words. There is as much here as Kirkus put into the review of my novel. I really wanted to get across the sense of how so many people in the world and their little contributions are soon forgotten by the world as it whirls on without them. It became a big theme in some of my short stories. The next collection will have a story focused on this experience of life. I wanted to put in all these details about his life so that the reader who did not know him, could connect with him and the things he did in the world. You understand writing, my friend. I learned so much about this trade at Hofstra University, under the tutilidge of Diana Ben Merre and Doug Friedlander, among others. My expertise is in classic modern literature, so I am pretty well versed in writers like Thomas Mann, James Joyce, Raymond Carver, John Cheever; as well as poets like WB Yeats, Seamus Heaney and Denise Levertov. What about you? estory
Comment from Harry Craft
Wow! A very powerful poem about losing someone whom you loved in your life. Losing our parents is always a tough one though. I feel the hurt in this poem and it brings life to the words you wrote. Keep up the excellent work!
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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Wow! A very powerful poem about losing someone whom you loved in your life. Losing our parents is always a tough one though. I feel the hurt in this poem and it brings life to the words you wrote. Keep up the excellent work!
Comment Written 19-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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Thanks so much for the excellent review and your comments on this piece, your words mean much to me. estory
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You are so welcome!
Comment from Annmuma
What an amazingly beautiful tribute to your father. It speaks volumes of not only who he was, but who you are. My sympathy and good thoughts go out to you. Take all of that good stuff, and pack it into memories pouches of your heart so you can pull any one of them out at any time to enjoy all over again. Excellent writing -the story comes alive as you share your memories. ann
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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What an amazingly beautiful tribute to your father. It speaks volumes of not only who he was, but who you are. My sympathy and good thoughts go out to you. Take all of that good stuff, and pack it into memories pouches of your heart so you can pull any one of them out at any time to enjoy all over again. Excellent writing -the story comes alive as you share your memories. ann
Comment Written 19-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2025
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Thanks again for the exceptional sixer and all your words of encourgement. estory
Comment from ESOSTINE
A great and emotional tribute to your late father! You really shared a whole lot of memories with your father, and those memories bound you together. We join you to say, 'Gutte nacht mein Vatter'. May his soul rest in peace, and may God grant you consolation in this trial moment. Take care, my friend.
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
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A great and emotional tribute to your late father! You really shared a whole lot of memories with your father, and those memories bound you together. We join you to say, 'Gutte nacht mein Vatter'. May his soul rest in peace, and may God grant you consolation in this trial moment. Take care, my friend.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
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Thanks so much for the excellent review and your wonderful sympathetic words of support. So many people and their little contributions to life get forgotten so quickly by the world as it whirls on without them. estory
Comment from Karen Cherry
I don't see you often on here, This is just a wonderful magical piece. Your love comes through in waves. All the quiet things he did, you noticed. I imagine with such a fine example you share your life and skills too. We see them here. It is a joy to hear about so much love. Thank you. Karen
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
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I don't see you often on here, This is just a wonderful magical piece. Your love comes through in waves. All the quiet things he did, you noticed. I imagine with such a fine example you share your life and skills too. We see them here. It is a joy to hear about so much love. Thank you. Karen
Comment Written 19-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
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Thanks for the six star review once again. estory
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
Such an amazing tribute to your father. It sounds like you covered his entire life and did it with such pride. I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing such a personal story.
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
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Such an amazing tribute to your father. It sounds like you covered his entire life and did it with such pride. I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing such a personal story.
Comment Written 18-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2025
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Thanks again for the six star review. estory
Comment from dragonpoet
Hi
This is a great ode to your dad. He was a loving and generous person and taught you the right way to live.
Sorry for your loss.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Have a great day.
Joan
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2025
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Hi
This is a great ode to your dad. He was a loving and generous person and taught you the right way to live.
Sorry for your loss.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Have a great day.
Joan
Comment Written 18-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2025
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Thanks for the excellent review and all the encouraging words. I am glad I was able to memorialize him in this way. It also got me thinking of how overlooked so many are, how their contributions of the world are so soon forgotten as the world whirls on after they pass away. Many of my stories now contain this theme. estory
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You're most kindly welcome.
Joan
