disizmrkent Posted May 10, 2004 Report Posted May 10, 2004 A provider, someone to love someone to provide a hug A man to teach you and give you tips A man who knows his place at the table a man who is strong and loving generous, willing, and stable. A man who knows no boundaries of love someone with opem arms to shelter you from harm and who knows your pains and joys as a man, and from a boy But my father is hard and cruel I'm a kicking post, he's the mule not because I feel steadfast or because he's the ass but more because he's the torment now as they were in my past With every drink he takes, and joke he makes Is another time I wish my mom had said "no" But again we'd be on welfare and survival I'd have everything to steal, and nowhere to go So now as a man, I know I turned out the best in spite of a father, who was only a "step"....
Vlad Posted May 11, 2004 Report Posted May 11, 2004 I can see that you must have put a lot of thought into this poem. The division in the stanzas comes as a natural breaking point. It makes me wonder what you really mean by it. The first stanza, about "a man" who is good, shows everything positive your father has to offer. The second, however, takes the other path, and shows his negative traits. This is contrary to the standard, of showing flaws, then redemption, but you pull it off well. The second stanza is stark contrast to the first, and makes the reader wonder if this could really be the same man. It is an interesting concept of using him as a step, but looking back to the title, and equating yourself to him. Perhaps this shows fear of your own fate? REgardless, it is a very well written poem.
disizmrkent Posted May 11, 2004 Author Report Posted May 11, 2004 The first stanza outlines the way the man should be, what a father is meant to be. The second stanza is the reality of what he is, and what he means (or doesn't, in this case) to the writer...
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