Book Of Days
____
found here in the pages
of the book of days
the neverending story
of fathers and of sons
in the book of days
clearly it is written
the father must move behind
as the child moves beyond
this is as it has been
since all of time began
the child growing stronger
becomes father to the man
and per the book of days
this is the way of nature
as the son becomes the father
the father bows away
yes, in our book of days
as it has been written
my time is growing short
I’ve less and less tomorrow
our space between grows greater
our time together lessens
as you pursue the future
I slip further into the past
yet in this father’s dream
our time would linger further
to soothe the mounting pain
of bittersweet farewell
I pray our book rewritten
to bend both time and space
and decree our time together
stretch beyond that far horizon
____
rob kistner © 2018
(original version written 2011)
You put it succinctly…the passing of one’s time to give way to the next generation. I like the idea of bending both time and space. Well crafted.
Thank you Vivian. This is a recent revision of a poem of mine from several years ago. I have a portfolio of over 900 poems stored digitally on my Image & Verse site. Approximately half of them are drafts. I also have a box of handwritten work from the time before computers. With my pacemaker providing me energy again, I am starting to have fun converting the handwritten to digital. Also of the digital currently stored – completing the unfinished, revising others, and writing brand new work. I’m having at it while I am still able.
Ah, such a wise reflection over the passage of a lifetime, and the changes encountered and experienced in the relationship between a parent and a child. Through all of it, the bond is still palpable in its light that shall indeed “bend both time and space”. Very well-penned. 🙂
Thank you HA. Yes so many ways life brings a changing of the roles, age, health, and accident are probably the big three – but certainly financial matters can be a cause. The important factor is both sides making the transition effectively and acceptably.
The last stanza…we cannot gaze upon the past without some measure of regret. Nicely done!
Thank you Tim. As I just wrote to HA, the transition ultimately needs to be handled effecrively for both parties, and anyone else affected. I am so thsnkful to my son and daughter-in-law for graciously allowing me dignity in these difficult times. My health, and now may age as well, are dictating this change of roles. I struggle at times, which can make me grumpy at times, but at the end of the day I, and my wife, are exceedingly grateful… 🙂
Yes, the circle of life is bitter sweet indeed. This is an amazing poem Rob!
Thank you Carrie, you are very kind. Funny, but in writing this I was flashing on and album that had been released by Blood Sweat & Tears in 1967 I believe. The title is “Child is the Father of Man”. When Al Kooper wrote that he was referring to the fact that our childhood comes first obviosly, and impacts the adults we become. I now see the other aspect of that statement. If we are blessed in our old age with mature, stable children, they can begin to shoulder the responsibilities of life that begin to elude us over time. Bittersweet exactly Carrie, but also a blessing… 🙂
I like the way you write about the passage of time, the way one generation must make way for the next. Puts me in mind of the Japanese mono no aware, the regret at the passing of things.
I am pleased this piece touched you Toni. The passing of time is not in our control, it is an inevitability. If we live regretting it, regret will forever be part of our life… 🙂
This made me think of a family bible where each generation have written their name marking the passing of time
It’s the book written in our heart that I had envisioned. Dont know the bible thing, never owned one…
Lost in Azure