Thursday, September 16, 2010

A Birthday Magpie


Today's Magpie is a tribute to my father, who turns 70 years old tomorrow (thanks Willow for the timely prompt!). He is the youngest 70 year old I know. Happy birthday Daddy!

 



When you were born
a great war raged
although your grandmother
wasn't yet a 7 star mother.
Two uncles gone
in the war to end all wars.

Of course, I didn't
know you then.

When I was born
you slept in the
waiting room.
You had been up
since dawn 'cause
cows don't wait
for milking.

But I don't
remember that.

I remember a brown
uniform & packed lunches
and company turkeys
and bedtime stories
and breakfasts of champions
and how selflessly you cared
for my dying mother.


Now there's your new love
and a big garden
and golf on bad greens,
and grandchildren
and choir practice
and a turn on the stage.

Seventy turns
around the sun –
by my count
you aren't even
nearly done.



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27 comments:

  1. That is beautiful.

    Every word.

    Happy 70!

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  2. My favorite poem I've read this week, meaningful.

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  3. A wonderful tribute to your father - I wish him a happy birthday and a long, long healthy life!

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  4. Aww. What a beautiful tribute to your handsome dad. Happy Birthday!!

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  5. It's wonderful that you feel this way about him. Happy Birthday to your dad!

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  6. How lovely... what a great tribute to your dad. :c)

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  7. Lovely words from a perceptive daughter.

    Happy birthday to Dad.

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  8. Bug,
    Awesome! I'm sure your dad will be touched by your poem.
    He is obviously a man who savored each grain of the sands of his life.
    That's enough isn't it?
    rel

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  9. aww that was so touching.. Happy 70th birthday!

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  10. I think this is one of my favorite poems you have written. You told the story of your father so beautifully.

    Happy Birthday Dana's Dad!

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  11. This poem is SO beautiful. I love it. What a wonderful tribute.
    Happy Birthday to your very special Dad!! May he have many many more.
    ♥ audrey

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  12. Bug, that was so heartfelt and touching. What a wonderful man your father must be, and what a fortunate man to have a daughter willing to commit her feelings to words in such a loving manner.

    Happy birthday to your dad, may he have many, many more.

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  13. What a terrific tribute. Very moving.

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  14. This is so lovely .. and loving. I turn 69 tomorrow and relate to where your father is in his life!

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  15. I always enjoy your work, and this one particularly. Thank you.

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  16. Beautiful tribute to your father. Here's wishing him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

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  17. Absolute fabulous! Totally loved it. And of course, a huge happy birthday to an obviously wonderful man.

    CJ xx

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  18. Happy Birthday to Dana's dad. He sounds like the kind of dad every kid dreams about having. Wonderful poem and tribute to your father.

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  19. Simply beautiful, Dana. A marvellous and heart-warming birthday wish to your dear father, whom one can tell you love very much.

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  20. what a lovely tribute to your Father...lucky lucky you!

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  21. a beautiful tribute to your father who has obviously used those turns well..

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  22. A wonderful poem, I hope that you show it to your father, and I hope he has a marvelous birthday. Seems like the apple don't fall far from the tree.

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  23. That was wonderful, my dad is 68 and I expectt many, many years to come with him. Happy Birthday to your dad!!

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  24. Wonderful! Beautiful tribute to what sounds like a very wise man.

    Thank you for sharing! Tell him Happy Birthday!

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  25. Happy Belated Birthday to your father.
    what a blessing for both of you.

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  26. great poem and an awesome tribute.
    i liked how you talked about his life before you, or before you remember. I think i forget how much life my parents lived before i came into their lives. your dad sounds like the guy to take pointers from on how to age gracefully.

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