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A Sonnet for My Son on Father’s Day
You coo her name in buoyant notes of joy
Then watch her toddle, tickled by her grin.
She spies the bug-eyed crab—her leggy toy
In Daddy’s hands all set to twirl and spin—
To scuttle on the floor beneath her gaze.
As giggles pierce the dawning-morning hush
I watch this rosy moment through a haze
Of yesterdays that melted in a rush
Of ticks and tocks from you at two till now—
From dinosaurs and Digimons to this.
I marvel at the dad you are and how
Your mini shadow shouts it with a kiss.
I catch love in her eyes alive with glee
And send it in these words for you from me.
.
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Susan Jarvis Bryant is a poet originally from the U.K., now living on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
Susan, such a precious poem focused on a son being a dad bringing joy to his children. This is a perfect Father’s Day poem imbued with pride and admiration. Your son was obviously the beneficiary of your love and values.
Roy, your words have brought a tear to my eye. It’s tough being all these miles away from my family and I am grateful to today’s technology for enabling me to witness precious moments. This poem was inspired by one of them. Roy, thank you for your beautiful words.
Nicely done, Susan. I’m particularly enamoured by the images conveyed by ‘a haze of yesterdays that melted in a rush of ticks and tocks’. I think every parent can relate to that.
Thanks for the read.
Paul, thank you for picking up on those lines – I know it’s a cliché, but children really do grow up far too quickly. Paul, enjoy every moment with yours… although, I have a feeling I don’t need to tell you.
One of the added blessings of a poem such as this is that when the child grows up, she will have a written remembrance of the love that both her father and grandmother had for her when she was very small, and how it connects with the same love that Susan felt for her son when he was two.
Joe, thank you! Your words have cheered my heart. It appears my little granddaughter has a few of her grandmother’s traits – she’s 20 months old and loves words, birds, and fast cars. I hope my poetry will bring her joy in years to come. It’s a tough world for any young person to navigate and I hope the essence of her feisty grandmother will course through her veins and give her the strength to stand up, speak out and grab life by the horns, whatever it throws at her.
A very beautiful sonnet for your much loved son and precious granddaughter. Thank you Susan.
Norma, thank you very much for your beautiful words. My son and my granddaughter are two of my greatest gifts in life. I simply had to put pen to paper for Father’s Day. I’m glad you enjoyed the result and even happier that you let me know.
A sweet, well-sketched scene, Susan — I can just picture these parent-child interactions because of the perfect words you’ve chosen.
Cynthia, it’s always lovely to hear from you and your appreciative and encouraging words have me glowing with joy. Thank you.
I agree with all of the above, especially with
what Professor Salemi said. A lovely Father’s Day poem, Susan.
jd, thank you very much indeed. In an age where family is frowned upon, it’s all the more important to celebrate our reason for being. I have recently learned that of all my life’s achievements, having my son was the greatest… and witnessing my granddaughter’s love for him surpasses everything I have turned my hand to.
Heartwarming, Susan, the ‘true’ you, and, as always, a cinch to picture. Great work.
Mark, thank you very much for reading my sonnet and for your lovely comment. I am fully aware that personal poems are tricky… but, after writing this one, I thought it would appeal universally in an age that needs to know the value of familial miracles. Too much store is put in possessions… people mean far more than anything money can buy.
When I read the title, Susan, I thought this poem was going to be about the relationship between your son and his father. But then I spotted “she” and wondered who you were referring to until the “aha” moment came and I realised the beauty of this sonnet—a grandmother writing about her granddaughter through her son, who’s a father now. I am filled with joy and emotion. Really, thank you so much. God bless!
Shamik, thank you for your lovely comment… the sharing of your “aha moment” has made me smile. I know it’s a rather unusual Father’s Day sonnet, and I’m thrilled it appears to have worked. With much appreciation.
Beautiful! How lovely. Your iambic pentameter is seemless. I especially enjoyed your internal assonant rhymes of “You coo” and “leggy…Daddy’s”. Your alliteration is bountiful, making this poem a joy to read out loud. What a precious moment to capture for Father’s Day!
Paige, thank you very much for your fine eye for all the detail. I love the musicality of poetry and always strive to achieve something that sings and is fun to read aloud… I’m glad I succeeded and I’m over the moon you enjoyed the message.
Susan, this sonnet is so full of love, joy and everything that makes life worthwhile. Your attention to the bells and whistles of poetic device is beautifully evident here especially in your onomatopoeic line,
“ticks and tocks from you at two till now”.
Wow, I love it…
Thank you, biggest fan! Your words delight me.
Susan, this poem shines with love for your granddaughter and son in a way that is truly uplifting. Every word in the piece is special but I must give a shout-out to your poetic take on the passage of time as your son goes from being a toddler to a father: “I watch this rosy moment through a haze/Of yesterdays that melted in a rush/Of ticks and tocks from you at two till now—/From dinosaurs and Digimons to this.” It makes one smile and yet it is deeply moving.
Your son and granddaughter are awfully lucky to have such a wonderful poet as matriarch! It will be fun to see if the gene for alliteration is inherited!
Brian, thank you for your beautiful comment. The lines you focus on brought tears to my eyes as I wrote them – that old cliche about life passing by quickly is oh so very true, which is why I appreciate those glorious moment with my granddaughter so very much. You’ve made me laugh with that alliteration gene… I have a strong feeling she may have inherited the alliteration gene and we’ll be speaking in rhyming couplets soon.
Susan, just enjoying a quiet pint outside an English pub when I logged into this blissful, joyful celebration of life. Your family must be aware of how lucky they are to have you. This is superb.
Jeff, “A quiet pint outside an English pub” sounds like a little slice of heaven in a world gone to hell. I’m thrilled my poem added that marvellous moment, and I thank you for your beautiful comment. Cheers, my friend!
Susan, this is a sure-fire winner with any grandparent! I remember my sons when they were kids, and see them now with their own children, the good dads they have become. You wrote what I was feeling.