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| Dad and me in Williamsburg sometime in the 1990s |
Dad insists. on
driving. just the same. as always
though I am. also
old. finally. and retired.
I don’t like. night
driving. I sit be.hind Daddy.
like I did. as a
child. sucking on. my long hair.
How gawky. I am then.
angular. unpopular.
much too poor. to
join in. on field trips. way too smart.
Unable. to carry. a
tune I. sing shyly. Old Man River.
Anita’s. Going to.
Get her kicks. Toni-i-ight.
The back seat. of the
car. becomes a. dream machine
to read in. until
car. sick nauseous. unfocused.
Dad pulls over. helps me lean. out the door. damn. gagging.
I’m sorry. he’s sorry.
all is well. we drive on.
For my prompt
Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Parents, Guardians, Significant Adults in the Lives of Children
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2016 Susan L. Chast
Great picture and memories with your dad!
ReplyDeletemoments with parents are so blessed...how i LOVE your photo with your dad Susan, you really look like dad's li'l girl :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a heartfelt tribute to your father Susan, love the picture too!
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
Beautiful memories and such a lovely picture.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear you suffered that throw up in the car. I hope you no longer have that!
ReplyDeleteOh how I remember that wonderful bonding moment as my younger daughter spilled a load on me! However we can laugh about it now!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this interesting style exploration. Smiles. I most love that the back seat became a "dream machine". You made me remember car rides as a child, some good, some mortifying, some terrifying. LOL.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I like the interesting style that this poem is written in. Sometimes it is fun to experiment. I don't like night driving either. I would like to defer to someone else to drive at night, but usually this is not possible. Smiles. Even though the memory in your poem is a bit unpleasant, I enjoyed the glimpse of your relationship with your father.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad loved cars and driving. I have many fond memories of being a child in the back seat on long journeys. Luckily I never got car-sick, even when I read there.
ReplyDeleteThat would be unconditional love! It is strange how we can revert to being small again in those time machines.. always a bit sobering when you catch a reflection of yourself sat in the back seat looking queasy - and a little older! I love how you have played with Annell's patterns and made it your own
ReplyDeleteI am sure the holiday season brings out memories of car trips...I too have a few distinct memories!! Enjoyed reading this sweet poem, Susan!
ReplyDeleteNice relationship with your Dad and glimpses of you as a younger person. Sweet !
ReplyDeleteThe formating is jarring and wonderfully disruptive, it especially comes in on that feeling of nausea. Awkward and sentimental. I love the form.
ReplyDeleteI have some similarities to this!
ReplyDelete