In Absentia

/ tsdwords

​Some may say she’s a fatherless daughter

Yet, that’s not what he taught her
Every cell of her being
Sings with his strings of DNA
The immediate way she searches the sky
When birdsong sounds nearby
Some may say she’s a fatherless daughter
Yet, that’s not what he taught her
​
​The loss was sudden, relatively so
And the absence too new
To fully sink through
While the pain strikes each day, harder
She’ll never believe she’s a fatherless daughter
This is offered for the Rondele prompt at dversepoets.com. I’ve been absent for quite awhile, from September to January we lost two parents and one has been in and out of the hospital and rehab 8 times. My mom is still recovering (actually quite well) from a second broken hip (now she has a matched set). My dad (who was a great teacher, but who also suffered from depression) passed away in December.  It is still surreal, and hence the poem.  Please forgive the deviation from form, in the last line…my first attempt to process my dad’s passing poetically.

39 thoughts on “In Absentia”

  3. Pingback: In Absentia | The Scientist's Daughter

  4. This spoke to me as I lost my father 22 years ago and I still miss him, yet he is with me always. I, too, am not a fatherless daughter. As far as not exactly following the form, my belief is that poetry forms are made to be broken, or at least bent, to the will of the poet to say what needs to be said. That you have done. Peace, Linda

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  7. Actually, I like your deviations from standard form. The message is clarion. Like a train wreck, there is no good time to lose a parent. My mother-in-law died in July, right after her 90th birthday. My own mother died at 39. Nice to read you again.

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  10. So very sorry for your loss, Sara. No, you will never be a fatherless daughter. I’m very touched that you chose to write to help process your very new loss…and to share it with us. I know that it can be helpful and I commend you for that. Yours is a very touching and sincere poem, beautifully written.
    Gayle ~

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    • Hi De, thank you for the kind words, it really didn’t feel like a great first effort, but it felt good to write again, feeling rust after my hiatus. Several friends have lost parents recently, it has been a sad time. Very sorry for your friends–love and prayers to them and their families. ❤

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      • Thank you so much.
        As my own parents age into their early 70s, I can only imagine what you are going through. They are such an essential part of my life, and my kids’ lives.

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      • Yes, it has been a struggle. It’s a wonderful thing to have them so close to us. And, I am grateful that we have had these extra years with them. My dad lived until 83, and my mother-in-law to 90. My father-in-law who is getting better, just turned 87, and my 83 year old mom is getting her aide to do “crunches” with her!

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  16. Sara…..the writing here is empowering….giving substance to your grief and love both. To lose a parent is heartwrenching and then to have the additional stress you describe here, all the more concerning. Keep writing. Keep processing. There are angels circling round your head, reminding you that you are never a fatherless daughter. He is a part of who you are, every day. And just as importantly, they gather to say, take care of yourself. Be gentle with your self. Find time for yourself to rest and just be. I’m glad you’ve come back to dVerse — I’ve found it a very caring community. And sometimes it is nice to “slip into our words” and to read the words of others. Take care, Sara…….many are there for you.

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    • Oh my goodness…*sniffle* you really touched me with your caring words and verbal embrace. Dverse is very caring. And it is nice to slip into our words (I love that image) and read others. It’s always been inspiring to read all the talented works of everyone. Thank you so much for your comment and support. I seriously needed some tissues afterwards ❤

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  17. So sorry for your loss, Sara. I feel you in this poem. I tell my husband that I am an orphan, I lost both parents. He doesn’t understand . Your poem touched me. Sending you hugs.

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    • Ayala, I’m so sorry that you have lost both parents, that would make you feel orphaned. Thank you so much for the hugs and empathy. I’ve always enjoyed our conversation and sharing poetry ❤

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  19. Sara, I am so sorry I have been out of touch in these past months. I found an old comment from you and it linked back here.
    Your loss is palpable. Huge changes for your parents – both, as one lives with worsened circumstances. And your dad, well, I understand the whole depression thing, but I am not going to do that “He’s all smiley in Heaven” crap because frankly, it doesn’t help. Just know you are in my prayers. I will check out some more recent work as well but I didn’t want this affecting, heartfelt work go without a mention of your artistry. Love, Amy

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    • Amy, thank you for this. Your heart always comes through so clearly, and I appreciate the love very much. I haven’t been writing much. The good news is my mom is stronger and feeling better. Hugs!

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