All Comments on 'Dad'

Oddly, on first reading, while I liked this as a ‘story’, I was not keen on it as a poem. The more I read it now, the more I like it. In fact, I cannot see why I did not immediately take to it.

Clearly it is a ‘narration’ style of poem – not popular with some but every bit as valid as the cryptic puzzle style. Given that this was Philip Larkin’s predominant style, I do think we can feel secure in liking it.

The structuring with the single word verse and the final two lines accents the story nicely. The words do flow and occasional slight jaggedness in that flow work to emphasise key points in the narrative.

As always with your poems, the sincerity and honesty (slightly different things) shine through. There is subtlety and delicacy of idea and feeling carried by the progression of the narrative. It avoids cliché about a parent and makes you think. A lot.

Thought/ experience & precious to you : thank you for sharin' !

I meant Oldbear