I wish my father would have loved me more
The truth that sits on the windowsill
Though yesterday dies, it remains at my door.
I got more comfort from the kitchen floor
Than his drunken hands and his constant chill
I wish my father would have loved me more.
Memories rush in of what came before
Abuse poisoned life, unnatural swill
Though yesterday dies, it remains at my door.
I tried to heal us, a chance to restore,
Closure is a dream to the unfulfilled
I wish my father would have loved me more.
He clung to denial and tried to ignore
The lie of “good father” he couldn’t fulfill
Though yesterday dies, it remains at my door.
Now that he’s dying, I brace myself for
A long sad goodbye without his goodwill
I wish my father would have loved me more.
Though yesterday dies, it remains at my door.
I'm a writer and editor. I make my living with words. I've had more than one hundred of my poems and stories published. I'm a member of the National Writer's Union, The Academy of American Poets and a bunch of other organizations which make me sound pretty important. I'm not, but it sure looks purty, don't it?
What Cancer Brings 
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This poem is a powrful footnote to multiple lives.
Thank you for sharing.
Be well
Thank you Ron.
liked it:) I especially liked this line: ‘Though yesterday dies, it remains at my door.’
Makes me want to try these styles myself for my own poetry. Inspirational. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Lesley. Villanelles can be tough. This one certainly was.
Heart wrenching poem Rach.
This is what I know to be true: Our parents did and do love us, they loved us the best way they knew how. I do know that its not the way we wanted or needed them to.
Today, you can love him as he is. He is a sick man regardless of the illness that consumes him. Alcoholism is a horrible disease and he suffered with it long before this current illness took over. AS a result, he did harm to you and your mother. Only your actions and God can heal that for you.
Be the best daughter you can be, without expectation. Pray for him all the things you would ever want or dream for yourself
It will set you free.
Love you honey
WG
villanelle’s are tough and I think you chose your repeating lines carefully, which makes it an effective poem. I find when writing villanelle’s you want to choose repeating lines that are vague, abstract, open to intrepretation which can then compliment the more concrete sensual lines. and hear the repeating lines do that, complimenting the emotional tug of this poem.
You have a much bigger heart and a more forgiving soul than I do. I’m honored to be your friend. You just keep showing me that people and life are not as cut-and-dry as I see them. You have a beautiful heart. *hugs*