17 June 2015

The Spirit of Fatherhood

St. Joseph the Carpenter, by Georges de La Tour, 1640s.


Blame God for undervalued fatherhood—
or blame Christian biblical stories that
omit Dad from Jesus Christ’s life:  Joseph
is invisible, thus, human father-
hood is nowhere, and tenderness—displayed
by silent Josephs in nativity
scenes everywhere—is unremarked rather
than marked as Exceptional, Desirable.

Thank God that Joseph accepted Mary
despite doubt and rumor, loved and cared
for wife and child.  Thank God for his
willingness to uproot his home, to trust
holy bonds, to work and to love children.
May Joseph’s spirit grow in everyone.


Posted for my prompt  

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Fathers




Copyright © 2015  S.L.Chast



21 comments:

  1. "...tenderness—displayed / by silent Josephs in nativity"...love the reverence expressed here and the prayerful end...you've truly captured the spirit of fatherhood.....

    I am so sorry Susan for not being able to comment on other poems as I can't see the links...

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  2. Susan, this is an exceptional piece of work.. I so enjoyed reading this beautiful poem of yours :D

    Thank God for his
    willingness to uproot his home, to trust
    in holy bonds, to work and love children.
    May Joseph’s spirit grow in everyone.

    I so appreciate the message at the end.. Amen :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  3. Amen to your closing line and the rest...you've voiced so well some of the thoughts that I've thought before...thank you for this important father poem, Susan.

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  4. Thank you! As a stepfather, I identify with Joseph, and his silent, unmentioned sacrifice. Your poem is a wonderful tribute.

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  5. The father image at its best. Fathers get high regards more from daughters than the sons. True in many instances. Great, Susan!

    Hank

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  6. Interesting perspective and the way you make us think, certainly works, well done.

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  7. Oh I love the direction you went with this. Tenderness in fatherhood is so beautiful to see. Loved this, Susan!

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  8. I never thought of that first stanza - interesting perspective. Love the way you tie it up and makes me wonder how Mary's own father reacted. Nice,Susan

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  9. Love how the poem changes direction - and what a great blessing you end on too!

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  10. What a fascinating take on the prompt, Susan. I agree that we all need a bit of Joseph's spirit. I can bet there are qualities about Joseph that have never been written about! I picture him as an exceptional man.

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  11. Tenderness, love and giving. Thank God for fathers who possess these qualities!

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  12. What is so remarkable about Joseph was that he trusted his wife and was happy for her to bear his children.

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  13. True...the story of Joseph is low impact. Interesting point you make. He is the role model for a gentle quiet unassuming man.

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  14. I think nobody must have thought this way.....very true....

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  15. I enjoyed reading your poem.

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  16. What a beautiful piece - uniquely and carefully written...yes, i think you are right in saying that fathers are overlooked in their ability to be caretakers and provide unconditional love

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  17. Yes the example Joseph gives is one that many men fail to follow.

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  18. Susan,

    I truly liked this perspective about fatherhood and the absence, as far as we can know, of Joseph, from the life of Jesus. I suspect that his role was that of a quiet, supporting father; although, little is really known.
    Eileen

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  19. What a fabulous take on the prompt, Susan...How neatly you used the picture of Jesus as father. This 'divine father's love continues to reach out to his children... Phenomenal work!

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  20. What a wonderful poem, Susan. I believe Joseph's example is followed by some very good fathers (but also mothers) - those who adopt children and love them and care for them as if they were their own children.

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