the bread we wouldn't eat

By FadedBlues

 

 

my father was a loud, confused man.

how did it happen that he woke up one day

and had a wife and four kids

and a ton of responsibility?

how does it ever happen?

 

he walked around like a thunder cloud,

most often there was a storm in our house.

 

at the dinner table, the loaf of bread would

diminish to the heels, the end slices.

he would tell us, ‘eat it, it’s still good bread!’

we made faces like prunes, and whined:

‘I don’ wanna eat the heel!’

 

with his lightning tongue, he would respond

‘well, f*ck, then I’ll eat it!’

 

my mother would calmly say, ‘would you watch your

language, please.’ she was a small woman, made

hard by the struggles that are common to mothers.

 

when he got sick, he became weak as a puppy.

my mother became a lion, as she cared for him

over his few remaining weeks.

 

after he died, there was an unfamiliar peace in the

house. we sensed there would never be another storm,

and it was uncomfortable.

 

 

the last time I went to his grave,

it was raining…




 

 

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Copyright 2013 FadedBlues
Published on Sunday, March 17, 2013.     Filed under: "Poetry"
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Comments on "the bread we wouldn't eat"

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  • carlosjackal On Monday, June 5, 2023, carlosjackal (3011)By person wrote:

    Saw M Morgan’s comment on the comments section of the site and clicked to see the cause of the high praise..And I’m so glad I did. This was full of visual storytelling, memories, sadness, but also hope somehow..And what an ending. Fave.

  • M Morgan On Monday, June 5, 2023, M Morgan (198)By person wrote:

    What a beautiful way to put such a painful memory! It makes us remember with you.

  • Cassette On Tuesday, December 12, 2017, Cassette (1144)By person wrote:

    I do not have the words to tell you how this resonates.

  • blue angel On Thursday, December 19, 2013, blue angel (877)By person wrote:

    geez, this is bittersweet. Blues, you're king :)~

  • Sean Mc Shane On Tuesday, March 19, 2013, Sean Mc Shane (615)By person wrote:

    Excellent piece FB, took me right back to several dinners when I was young. Made me think of a future that's coming for sure and how I'll deal with it. Awesome. Later -

  • FadedBlues On Tuesday, March 19, 2013, FadedBlues (2172)By person wrote:

    Friends, thanks. my multigrain bread ran down to the heels, & brought back memories...

  • Nehema On Monday, March 18, 2013, Nehema (962)By person wrote:

    This touched me, reminded me, made me sad and grateful. Tough love is often the most misunderstood - XXOO Scholar

  • Corinthian On Monday, March 18, 2013, Corinthian (309)By person wrote:

    Sometimes fathers have to swallow the bones and all the tears ...no one ask the strong storms if they are ok , I never had a father .... I think I turned out ok though , guess time will tell ... Bless the Lioness who kept you calm and,warm .

  • Devilish On Sunday, March 17, 2013, Devilish (2662)By person wrote:

    I can't comment. You . I . there's such . so many. I can't. I love you Scholar

  • dwells On Sunday, March 17, 2013, dwells (4288)By person wrote:

    I always eat the heels, and my wife can't stand it when I suggest putting a hot dog diagonally on a single slice of white bread! Gotta have those buns you know... We grow more progressively spoiled with each generation. Thanks for wrapping this up with a fond remembrance and heavy heart, dig it!

  • BetaWolfinVA On Sunday, March 17, 2013, BetaWolfinVA (795)By person wrote:

    my dads still around, and hes still loud, even after a stroke... tain't mellowed at all but i can still relate, thanks for sharing Scholar

  • M Morgan On Sunday, March 17, 2013, M Morgan (198)By person wrote:

    Oh! Is because is raining in your soul. Still. On mine too Poet. You make me remind me something, long ago forgotten . But thanks

  • Dei On Sunday, March 17, 2013, Dei (665)By person wrote:

    Ah.. I see. I liked this. I liked the simplicity of the narrative married with the heaviness of the subject. This is pleasently and sadly relatable

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