Dad's Knee
69
Dad's Knee
Dad's knee was at once
a place of joy and
a place of pain
a place of contradictions
powerful memories
of a dad's love
of a father's discipline
taking a nap on his lap
his knee as my pillow
or giggling and shreiking
on bouncy knee pony rides
that never lasted long enough
birthday spankings over his knee
one swat for each year
counted aloud to the glee
of everyone but me
or snuggling up on his chest
a trace of the Viceroy cigarettes
that would be his death
mixed with Old Spice
on his clothes, his breath
not an acrid smell but dad's smell
wrapped safe in hairy, powerful arms
that let nothing bad ever happen
lulled to sleep by the bass voice
vibrating through his chest
and, of course, those dreaded times
found draped across that knee
backside pointing up
his hand exacting a painful toll
for the sassing
or foul language
or general misbehavior
of which I was guilty
wounding pride more than anything
endearing love and
engendering respect
As I grew older
too old to sit on his knee
he'd often rise from his recliner
and take a spot beside me
on that well-worn, floral print sofa
and talk with me
and nudge my knee with his
telling me it was time
to go do homework
or go mow the lawn
or whatever else big boys do
As I grew still older
out on the porch swing
for 'man to man' talks
it was the same
his knee
nudging me
to man up
to choose a college
to find a job
to go see about a girl
Dad wore that knee out on me
no wonder it would be replaced
such a simple thing, a knee
you use them to stand
and walk and run
and, sometimes, raise a son
you don't think about them much
until they ache
or don't work right
or they're gone
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This is beautiful and has made me cry. I miss my Dad and though so much of your poem I saw myself beside my Dad. "not an acrid smell but dad's smell" My Dad too had a smell of his own. How I miss that smell.
Up, awesome, and beautiful!
So sweet, beautiful and then sad. I should've been a Daddy's girl - to understand what you are talking about. Your poem makes me jealous of the love and loss. Great poem.
I love this poem. My father passed 3 years ago on the 20th and This brought such a wonderful profound memory of him to me. Thank you! Voted up and beautiful.
Lisa ~ RusticLiving
wow...so beautiful. Made me go back to my dad year's when I was being brought up. Although, he passed away much sooner than his knee starting acting up. That knee was more of a support for all my cries, laughter and cuddles.
gosh, you have touched some inner wiring inside me...voted way up as beautiful, awesome. Am sharing it with my family!
Hi savanahl, thanks for the kind words. I have very fond memories of my childhood and the time spent with Dad. It was a lovely childhood thanks to Dad in large part.
Thanks, Susan! It was my hope to bring up such thoughts and memories for my readers. Smells (along with tastes) are powerful triggers that bring up strong, vivid memories as you know. My dad's is one I will never forget. Thanks for the wonderful comment!
Thanks, Ardie. Your comment makes me want to ask my brothers what memories they have of Dad. I am the youngest of 4 boys and think I may have benefited from being the baby of the family. I'll have to ask. Regardless, if your father is still around, it's not too late to be a Daddy's girl! Thanks for the touching comments.
Hi Lisa, I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. Mine passed 11 years ago this March 6th. It does get easier with time but you never stop missing them. I am amazed at how vivid my memories of him still are. Writing about him, like this poem, helps I'm sure. Thanks for taking the time to read, comment and vote!
Ruchira, you have made my day with your wonderful comment. As writers, touching the inner wiring of others is just want we want to do. I'm glad to hear I have succeeded, at least with you. I'm also glad you have such fond memories of your father. Maybe you should write about him too! Have a great day!
great hub thanks for sharing
Tricia, thanks for reading and commenting.
A blessing to have had a good father in your life and a wonderful tribute as well , I voted up all the way :)
Jami, yes, he was and, even though he is gone, still is a blessing in my life. The example he set is being passed on to my kids. At least, I hope so! Thanks for reading me and commenting.
You know, you should ask your brothers. Because I know my youngest benefits from being the baby in the family. Daddy and I both tend to spoil her more than we did the others. Hmmm...maybe I need to change that! :)
I envy any boy/teen/adult who had a Dad? Sadly I did not, I fought to have one, but he just walked. Instead my mother said a replacement Daddy will do, I said no it won't. As it was this other Daddy was nothing but a monster with no savvy.
So all you boys who have a daddy, be proud, walk tall and enjoy every minute when you fall and he is there to pick you up, dust you off and tell you he will be by your side all the way. Be proud to have a Dad with any faults he may have, at least you have a dad.
Great scribe my poetic friend. Your imagery was stark, I saw it all, it touched Vincent's heart, brought a tear and made me remember when? Voted Up, awesome and beautiful.
Ken, yes, I was very fortunate. I came for a very stable home and my parents were married 48 years when my Dad passed. I do feel sympathy for people who weren't so blessed. It seems I know more that weren't than were. Very sad. Thanks for commenting and reading, my friend.
I lost my dad when I was a young girl. I still miss him every day and your poem brought back some wonderful memories...thank you for that!
justateacher, I am sorry to hear that. I can't imagine growing up without my Dad. I'm glad my poem brought back some happy memories for you. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Wonderful wordplay :)
Voted up and beautiful.
dadibobs, thank you, for reading and voting. It is appreciated.
Made me all sad face. Voted up though. Thanks.
Hey Jason! Thanks for reading. Yeah, it's sad that my Dad is gone now but this celebrates some really fond memories that he gave me. It's kind of funny how much significance we attach to seemingly insignificant things. I'm sure my Dad didn't give his knee and me a second thought. For me, it was a big part of growing up!
It's difficult for me to describe how very much i love this. Dad's knee took on a new meaning for me. You have such a beautiful spirit and a natural talent to write about anything and make it poetic..Thank you so much...
Thank you, Ruby. I suspect a lot of people have their own, similar memories of their father. If this poem helps bring them back, if only for a moment, then I consider it a success. Thanks for such kind comments.
Your poem touched my heart, this was so beautifully written and so very special, voted up
Hi MM, glad you liked it and I'm thrilled to hear it touched you. It's gratifying to know that I am learning to do so with the written word. Have a great day!
Hi Poetic Fool
This one touched my heart and emotions. Beautiful and bittersweet.
Voted up and away!
Glad to hear it, Sue! All of people can relate to this one, I'm sure. BTW, great new profile pic!
Hi Poetic Fool
Thank you for the compliment on my new profile pic. :-)
Have a good weekend.
...oh god how I used to love my dad's knee and how I miss it so .....lovely work my friend - so lovely indeed and you own my Facebook page tonight with yet another posting of your fabulous name and talent with a direct link back here .....lake erie time ontario canada 6:18pm
Colin, yep, many a happy memory go with dad's knee. I'm so glad you related to this. Thanks again for the FB share, I am humbled. Take care, my friend.
This really really so very beautiful and heart rending. I loved it. Voted up. Dad's are very very special, I wish I had my dad around.
Vellur, I will I still had my dad around too! I'm so glad that you liked this. Thanks for the read and the kind comments.
this is a gorgeous poem. UP and shared....
wow...i envy you for that great time you spend with your dad...i grow up having none...wondering how it would be like having a father to protect me from those bullies...thank you for sharing the wonders of your childhood Justin...
Thanks PDX! I do appreciate the vote and the share. Have a great day, my friend.
Hi, Racinwa! Yes, I was very fortunate when it came to my parents. I have lots of great memories with him and mom. It makes me feel sad when I hear stories like yours, kids who grew up with no dad, an absentee dad or an abusive dad. Things shouldn't be that way. Sigh ...
Very well written, you have a very good way with words and a skill at putting them together in thought provoking ways. Voted up, nice work
Thank, R9139, I appreciate the compliments. They may go to my head but I do appreciate them! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read me.
This is beautiful. I could almost feel the knee nudge, apparently I knew someone who did that too or you are so very good with words. OK...you are.
Thank you, Jackie! I think maybe you had someone who did that too. I do appreciate the compliment though. Have a good night.
Beautiful....touched the very core of my heart, need I say more..? Thank you.
onlooker, thank you! I'm glad this poem touched you in some way. Thanks for sharing that it did. It is very gratifying.
Oh a poem about your dad.. My dad was always so strong and loving a very good dad. He is getting up there in years and having a hard time but he refuses to give up.
He is an awesome dad.
great hub love your poem
Debbie
Debbie, I am so pleased you liked it. Our dads are such strong figures in our life, they're a natural topic for a poem. You're blessed to still have your dad around. Enjoy him while you can! Thanks for dropping by.
Some of my fondest memories are of my dad bouncing me on his knee. That was such a special time. He would smile and recite some silly poem or song at the same time. Thanks for the reminder of how special these moments are.
After going through the poem, I went to my childhood. Really father plays a great role in making our personality.
Poem is awesome, very well written.
Love ur poem. . .
Hello, teaches12345! You're so welcome! Those memories are precious, aren't they? I'm glad my poem reminded you of them! Thanks for visiting.
Hello Anupma! Thank you for your kinds words about my poem. I'm pleased to hear that it took you back to fond memories of your childhood. I do appreciate you reading it and taking the time to leave such a wonderful comment.
savanahl Level 4 Commenter 4 months ago
What beautiful imagery of a lovely childhood. I love your writing.