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We Jews don't celebrate it
because the Bible says
as number 5
on its top 10 list
honour thy father...
so in theory every day
should be father's day
but of course
we fall short
so I'm all for a reminder
once a year
and I have to admit
I enjoyed
the special breakfast -
Pillsbury cinnamon rolls
hot from the oven
frosted with gooey icing
and fresh strawberries
cut into shapes and arranged
on the plate to say
"We love you dad"
in sweet red
plus my daughters
let me explain
to them the meaning
of my favourite
Bruce Springsteen song
which they know well
because I blasted it
every morning for years
on the way to school
about the confusions of love
using a carnival metaphor
a house of mirrors
'showing us both in 5D'
and I asked them if
after all they've witnessed
in our home
they still believed in marriage
and to my astonishment
they said yes because
when the ride was over
mother and I
always laughed.
3 comments:
With the right ingredients -- food (for sure), a bit of ritual, family togetherness and kindly sentiments -- a secular holiday can be transformed into something sacred. Sounds like you had a blast! Even just having the opportunity to share your thoughts on "Tunnel of love" must have been gratifying.
By contrast, my kids, who are both out of the house, tend to play down rather play up Father's Day. They send me gifs. Not gifts, but gifs. Anyway, I am happy to receive their gifs.
On the topic of things that are sacred, here's a recent poem I wrote ... a heavier companion to your light-hearted poem.
My secret religion
I do not worship tree sprites
When I embrace this tree.
I plant myself on fertile earth,
The tree envelops me.
And what is worship anyway?
I cannot fathom this.
The candle burns, what spirit
Gambols in the apex
Of the flame that points and doesn’t
To the points we least expect?
What if this incense within us
Leaves no lasting fragrance?
I repeat these holy words,
Until there’s no until.
What counts, perhaps, is not the act,
Save the flawed rehearsal.
And what if all intention is
The unintended consequence?
So look for me among the
Dryads, in the dancing eye,
Where words dissolve like powder,
Like the I into the I.
If my questions go unanswered
I will praise Thee nonetheless.
Kelp, now this one is quite exceptional in craft and depth. Worthy of multiple readings. The unexpected rhymes in the two line verses, I don't think I've seen that before, echoing the 'unexpected' meaning. 'What if this incense within us/ Leaves no lasting fragrance?' Heartbreaking. And 'I repeat these holy words, / Until there's no until'. And the final words, reminiscent of Psalm 145. Really lovely. Yasher koach!
Thanks, B. Glen! I can always count on you to "chop" what I am endeavoring to achieve! And yes, yes, I have recited "Ashrei" so many times in my life that I am sure it has somehow insinuated it's way into this poem and probably lots of other ones that I've written ... good call.
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