When I left
You sat upon the floor
Impish smile
As you thumped upon
That toy piano
Making confusing noise
With childish joy
When I returned
I found you perched
Upon a piano bench
Beside Grandma
Eyes intently watching
As she played
When I left
You played
An awkward rendition
Of "Let it Be"
With unbounded glee
So I traveled
With a smile
When I returned
You sat upon a high school stage
A young lady
Playing show tunes
Upon those ivory keys
While I cried tears
Of pride and regret
That I had missed so much
Between I left and I returned
"I was on the road for most of my child's young life which haunts me to a certain extent to this day"
Lovely. Happy the rewards were tears of joy
ReplyDeleteMuch🌼love
Still you got to hear the music in the end and your being on the road will have in some way enabled what came to pass.
ReplyDeleteOh this is so touching!!💖
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that must have been!! And regret, too.
ReplyDeleteThat's how quickly they evolve...in the blink of an eye. It's sweet. You gave her the stability to flourish by keeping a steady roof over her head (if I may be so bold to say).
ReplyDeleteMovingly nostalgic. Yet it seems that, with all you missed, you did experience some highlights.
ReplyDeleteThis is heartbreaking... all those moments you missed in between... I hope that you have enough to build a good bond into the future.
ReplyDeleteLovely and nostalgic, you have some wonderful memories to treasure. Not to be discounted ever. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, this hits my heart, Robert - the child growing so fast as the father travels his lonely miles. Life is hard. Yet she has a loving father, which is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful poem, Robert.
ReplyDeleteYou heard the music, and I'm betting your love was always felt by your daughter no matter where you were.
ReplyDeleteSome parents work long hours and it can't be helped - yet it is hard to miss these moments - I know we video tape a lot for older siblings that are out of the house and for Dad who misses a lot due to work. This poem plays that theme well, I knew right away what you were getting at! Well done.
ReplyDelete