Nines thumb-ectomy tale rattled some bones in the Family Album closet. I looked in a file and found this verse, which explains itself if you've read Nines' account.
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A FATHER'S CARE
Who will dry a father's tears
For harm that cannot be undone,
For pain come to a precious son
So suddenly? Who understands
The depth of love within this one whose
Heart is torn more with this hurt
Than with his own? A lifetime spent
Protecting them in deed and prayer
Will not prevent upon this plane
Realities of mortal man...
As much as he would wish it.
When they were babes he kissed
Their scrapes and made them go away.
No more. And yet, he feels no less
Their anguish. The grown child
Bravely sheds no tears, but I was near
Enough to touch his father's e'er they
Who will dry a father's tears
For harm that cannot be undone,
For pain come to a precious son
So suddenly? Who understands
The depth of love within this one whose
Heart is torn more with this hurt
Than with his own? A lifetime spent
Protecting them in deed and prayer
Will not prevent upon this plane
Realities of mortal man...
As much as he would wish it.
When they were babes he kissed
Their scrapes and made them go away.
No more. And yet, he feels no less
Their anguish. The grown child
Bravely sheds no tears, but I was near
Enough to touch his father's e'er they
Found his pillow – to hear him speak
Of cruel heartaches met within a sense
Of helplessness at needless hurt
And breathe a prayer for strength
From the Almighty. How dearly held
Are each of you within your Papa's being!
Remember, then, when words are stem,
How great his heart and firm his plea –
Delivered, not for lack of trust…no, rather
Simply because he cannot bear
To see his children suffer.
Of cruel heartaches met within a sense
Of helplessness at needless hurt
And breathe a prayer for strength
From the Almighty. How dearly held
Are each of you within your Papa's being!
Remember, then, when words are stem,
How great his heart and firm his plea –
Delivered, not for lack of trust…no, rather
Simply because he cannot bear
To see his children suffer.
(6/1/89)
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[Funny, but that sweet man up there just doesn't look like the type who would be pickin' his nose with his thumb....;o)]
3 comments:
That sweet man did tell one of his nephews that it fell off cause he sucked it too much. Funny how he hasn't told his own child that one. Ya gotta love him! I know I do.
Peni -
Thanks for sharing the great poem! Sounds like Nina's papa is a lo like my own papa. The older he gets the softer his heart gets! I think having grandchildren does that to a man!
Love, Sarah
You didn't tell them that he is a member of my "Funny Finger Club." Andy has decreed that I am the charter member--the matriarch of the club. I joined at the age of 3, thanks to an enterprising brother (age 5 at the time)when he split the end of my finger with a hatchet. Andy joined at a much older age when he cut off the end of his finger in a planer/joiner. I guess he thought his membership was in jeopardy because he later cut off the side of a thumb on a table saw. Anybody else out there want to be in our club?
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