My father died in 1982 at the age of 64. We weren't close, primarily due to his alcoholism. Certain aspects of my relationship with him appear in Brute Heart, although to make my story work I created a father figure who was less loving and more unreasonable than my self-effacing Dad.
Since June is the month we celebrate Father's Day, I decided to share this poem I wrote that was inspired by my relationship with him. As time goes on I miss him more and more.
First Hero
Children start out loving
the one who doesn’t make them eat spinach
the one who chucks them under the chin
when
he comes home,
gives
them nicknames
and
piggy-back rides.
Over
time and distance,
memories blur
enhance
soften
expunge the truth.
The
filial bond may weaken
but
it never goes away completely—
part
love, part fear, part fantasy.
Ginger Dehlinger
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