Apology and Sorrow Lead to Light
A Good Friday Poem
three times I have denied you instead,
the ruddy cock, announces the bloody morn
and all I can do is turn away and cry.
Didn't I cling to your hand young and old,
but now life creates distances unforetold,
there's a rake between us descending fast
and all I can do is run away, turn back.
There's words between us about stories,
a life lived in pages, fences and glories,
they fall stiff when there's little to be said,
when time ticks ticks that awful word.
Into my hands you passed your authority,
into my heart I gave you all of my supporting,
but you lost me even as I lost you,
how I dread the calling of morning.
Three times I came to your sickbed and you
you came to mine, when others stayed away, too
This apology is my turn to honor your wish
to withhold sorrow while God calls you home.
We'll meet again I know in my heart
the bread broken, well kneaded arises
the cock fed, the eggs laid, the sun
about to break over the mountain.
Calling you home, calling me to memorize
the wrinkles of your face, the times
of laughter and hugs and of tempering ire
for you were and are always my father.
Poem for my father who is ill, for Good Friday when all hope was supposed to be lost but leads to better things.
Published by Sheri Fresonke Harper
Sheri works as a freelance writer, novelist and poet. She worked in the aviation industry at the Port of Seattle and Boeing Company for 20 years as a systems analyst/architect where she edited and wrote over... View profile
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39 Comments
Post a CommentHe was blessed to have you, Sheri. xoxo - Jenny
You come to the Father by honoring your father. Very sweet poem about the Easter Season and forgiveness.
Thought provoking and bittersweet. I wish you and your father the best.
This is very heartfelt. Even those who are not religious could appreciate the references.
This is a lovely poem, deep and touching and thought-provoking. Thanks for sharing something so heartfelt, it's one of the things I love best about this site!
Lovely and touching poem. You write so beautifully. :-)
PS: So sorry to hear that your father is ill.
VEry beautiful and tender...touched my heart, Sheri.
Exquisite.
Very poignant.