Today, Sunday, would have been my dear father’s birthday.
My daddy turned 57 in October of ’84 and hardly a month later suffered a massive
heart attack that sent him into that final good night. I was very young when that
happened and thought of my father as very old. But then I arrived at 57 and gasped,
realizing how wrong I was back then and how lucky I am to have crossed over the
thresholds my father never completed.
So today, for my Sunday Press
(sundae, soondae, serene Sunday)
I wish to repost the revised poem
I wrote for my daddy
when I turned 57.
Because…
“Old as she was,
she still missed her
daddy sometimes.”
~ Gloria Naylor BrainyQuotes, Gloria Naylor
My hero's cape was the transparent kind and to me, it was enormous it wrapped around me tenfold, embracing my shortcomings on the days I needed magic (with his prompting) enchanted sanctuaries I’d find rapturous, idolizing, without seeing in him a fault... But he left before the fax machine became an essential practicality before CD-ROM for computers, CDs, DVDs, and JPEG Of digital cameras he knew– no nuthin’ of the Discman, the iPod, photoshopping– clueless! GPS/the WORLD WIDE WEB Google/Smartphones/e-mail? These might sound to him like riddles, but today, they are a given. I woulda love to have video-chatted instructed him in tech-lingo he’d be just another grandad never to be in limbo. He woulda loved watching musicals on my flat-screen boob tube; learned about TheWi-Fi, TheFacebook, TheTwitter, & YouTube. The roles woulda been reversed as with patience, I’d have taught him of all those things for functionality, that technology fitted us to the brim. I’d have talked, he’d have listened I’d have instructed, he’d have learned… But of the things far more important, presenting him to my darling husband my proudest moment that woulda been grand! And my babies– just to have held them while sniffing their little heads what joy it woulda brought me had he seen them turning into little men. — He was called before the fax machine became an item of practicalism but his little girl never has forgotten how to love, laugh, dream & celebrate under the cape of life’s realism *** © selma
Happy Birthday to my daddy, who’s still snug safely in my heart, and to whom I
dedicate this poem on this special Sunday in October.
Note: Like global warming, none of the listed items in the poem would have been
topics of conversation (in my country) when he was alive. So, in reality, he
missed nothing; it IS I who missed having him around.
Life unfolds as we live it, and I cannot wait to find out more of its magic.
Update on In The Shadow of Rainbows:
Product details
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 1739404440
- Product Dimensions : 6 x 0.27 x 9 inches; 5.76 Ounces
- Publication date : July 12, 2023
- Publisher : Experiments in Fiction
- Country of Origin : USA
- ISBN-13 : 978-1739404444
- Release date : July 12, 2023
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,462,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,648 in Poetry About Places (Books)
- #2,322 in Nature Poetry (Books)
- #6,353 in Inspirational & Religious Poetry (Books)
- Customer Reviews: 4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 32 ratings
ASIDE: this little gem DID MAKE IT TO #1 in Nature Poetry. (just sayin’)
and
color me naive,
(!-I just found out-!)
made the bestseller’s list!!
Thank you so MUCHO.
And this week, it got a lovely review on Amazon from Michele Lee:
Thank you, gracious lady.
In the Shadow of a Rainbow I found "my" poem Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2023 Verified Purchase I recently finished reading poet Selma Martin’s debut collection, In the Shadow of Rainbows, published by Experiments in Fiction. Selma’s highly engaging collection offers a premise in the introduction that added a layer of enticement and interest to the reading experience. The author writes: “I’m confident that one poem in this book will take your hand, reunite you with your echo and take you home – found and richer with you-ness for having been seen. That’s what I want one poem to do for you.” After admiring the gorgeous cover, I was excited to accept Selma’s invitation of finding “that one poem.” I tabbed several poems as a maybe. When I got to page 90 and read “For an Hour,” I instantly knew I had found “the one.” Reading Selma's poem aloud under a golden crescent moon made my discovery profoundly true. I have the pleasure of following Selma's blog and have been enjoying her beautifully crafted poetry for some time but there is something special about holding a writer's work in your hands. I highly recommend Selma’s collection and extend her invitation of finding the one poem for you.
Michele Lee also uploaded a photo of the book. Thanks, sweet one.
(I wanted to share it but… having problems with photo file)
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recited the poem that spoke to her on My Inspired Life. Please click
the link below to listen and see the photo too.
Thanks for this loveliness!
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Happy Sunday, everyone.
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Thinking of you, Selma 🙏❤️ it is quite a revelation when one becomes older than a parent who died some time ago. I have been thinking about this a lot myself recently.
Thanks, Ingrid. It’s an emotional thing indeed. My sister, fourth down after me, had a birthday four days ago. She turned our Daddy’s age: 57! Gosh, it happens—it made it all the more real. That age!
I hope you’re well, dear Ingrid. I send you healing graces for deep introspection. 🤗 ✨
((( <3 )))
Thanks so much, sweet lady. 🫶🏽
May his soul forever rest in peace. Blessings to you, Selma, on his birthday. 🙏🏾💙
Aww, teE. Thanks so much, dear one. Blessings to you too. 🫶🏽👊🏽
You’re most welcome! Thank you!
a lovely ode to your father on this special day <3
So happy to know you think it so, dear Beth. Have a splendid Sunday, my friend. 🫶🏽
I’m here would have loved to meet your husband and sons. A beautiful poem to Pat tribute to your dad, Selma
I would have loved to introduce him to my gang and life now. Unbelievable!! But I want to believe he is the shadow I see around now.
Thanks for reading, Sadje. Happy Sunday. Xoxo
Lots of hugs
Here’s a virtual hug 🤗 dear Selma. Thankfully memories don’t leave us. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Thanks for your lovely comment, Dawn. Xoxo
that’s a beautiful dedication to your father. the happiest of birthday greetings to him.
my father can be a pain in my butt, but i’ve realized the old man is a crafty veteran of life that I can still learn alot from 🙂
Hey Anonymous. Thanks
Hey Anonymous are you over 21 y.o?
Here’s something I hope you enjoy:
““When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”
~ Mark Twain Quote”
😃 👏🏽 all the best. Xoxo (who are you)
A beautiful tribute poem, Selma.
Thanks for coming to read, dearest Khaya. Bless you.
A loving tribute in memory of your father on his birthday, Selma. He will always be in your heart. <3
Yes he will. Thanks for reading my old poem dear Cheryl. Xoxo
So touching story , an Ode To The First man I Loved🙏❤️🌷 Father’s always be in our heart , because
In there they still alive 👏🏼👍 You are absolute best daughter for him and I tribute your
Great Dad 👍Life may not turn out the way we expect dear friend 🙏🥰🎊Prayers 🙏
Stay Blessed and Loved 😍💐
You have a beautiful heart. Thanks for these words. Xoxo Selma.
Thank you so much for this lovely reply message and graceful wishes dear friend 🌹🙏🥰👌💗🌹
Happy new week of blessings. XO
🌹🙏💗🌹same blessings to you too my friend 👏🍂
This is a lovely ode to your father. Thankfully, there is lots of space in our hearts to carry those we loved where ever we are.
There is. A bottom less heart we all carry. Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings.
Beautiful tribute to your father.
I appreciate you saying. Appreciate the comment. Xoxo
Your tribute to your father and later reflection highlights how slowly and subtly our perspective and understanding changes, to be reminded when we revisit a fixed point in the past. Thank you.
Hello Jasper. I’m grateful you appreciated this piece as I meant it.
The past with landmarks comes with us as lasting memories. Hard to believe we lived through all that. Glad to be able to tell the story still.
I appreciate you reading and commenting. Blessings xoxo and THANK YOU. 😊
Beautiful tribute to your father.
Very nice written this poem. Blessings to you, Selma, on his birthday.💙💐
Aww, dear Raj. Thanks a lot. Xo
I needed more time to sit with this special post, sweet Selma. I am so glad for it. Your personal share and poem are both moving. 💞
You’re sweet —thanks for reading and commenting. So happy you enjoyed it dear one.
And thank you for the lovely review and reading. You’re amazing. Xoxo happy new week
How lucky you were to have had a father so well loved and remembered! I’m sure his spirit has shared all your joys. (K)
Oh, K. Bless you for saying this. So glad you read. Have a happy new week. Xo
Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem. Isn’t funny what we viewed as old and now here we are!
It’s funny indeed.
I just shared a funny Mark Twain quote with someone. Now I want to share with my Bella:
““When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”
~ Mark Twain Quote”
Happy new week. 👏🏽 💗
It’s such a beautiful ode. I’d like to think he’s very proud of what you’ve done, Selma. 💙💙💙
Thanks my sweet. Blessings.
I’ve got to take a little time off. Don’t worry it’s just recharging
I hope I do t lose you.
I hope to see you when I return.
In the meantime, I wish you miracles. Xoxo
I’ll be here. 😊🌻💙
Oh, he sounds so wonderful. How lucky you were to have him and I’m sure he’s looking down at you with pride at the life you’ve crafted for yourself.
I think you’re right. He knows… So happy your read this one too. xoxo