Saturday, July 16, 2011

Like Father, Like Son

By Joseph Hesch

I'm not my Dad, the first Joe.
I can't build you a castle, a house,
or even a box. Wood and nails are
as alien to my being as those
half-gestated Asian duck eggs.
Can't scramble them, bake them in a cake,
or choke them down in any form.
I know my limitations, and carpentry,
auto mechanics and such gifts are
nice dreams for this smooth-handed
Old-American male,
but are as within my grasp as
walking the moon, dunking a basketball,
or entanglement in the warm limbs
of Ashley Judd.
But I can build houses and castles
and worlds out of words. Some even
look pretty true and square.
There are times I wonder if Dad
would have been as proud of my skills
as I always was of his.
Maybe.
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15 comments:

  1. TashtooJuly 16, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Joe! What a wonderful pen! I am quite sure he would be as proud, if not more! This must be shared! :) I'll raise my glass to you, as this poetic party gets underway! Here's to dVerse! :)

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  2. Brian MillerJuly 16, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    dude, you had to bring up those eggs...ugh...but the fact you know ashlet judd is pretty cool...wink...ha yes you build nice castles sir...smiles.

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  3. ScarletJuly 16, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    "those half-gestated Asian duck eggs" - are actually to be taken in one gulp with salt on the side...

    I am sure he is of you~

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  4. ClaudiaJuly 16, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    you indeed can build houses and castles out of work..and they are pretty solid...guess your dad would be proud..

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  5. Isabel BushJuly 16, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    great write . fav line " I can build houses, castles, and worlds out of words"

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  6. AnonymousJuly 16, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    half-gestated Asian duck eggs.
    Can't scramble them, bake them in a cake,
    or choke them down in any form.

    Good laugh and original imagery. Thanks!

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  7. BeachannyJuly 16, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    Bring us your castles of words and the images will go down as smooth as vintage wine. We're making music with them at the Troubadour of Poetry here at dVerse poets and you are welcome any time. Brian is the landlord and we all sing for tips (smiles).

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  8. AnonymousJuly 16, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    half-gestated Asian duck eggs?! yuk! However, they are wonderful worlds that you build with your words..lovely castles to come and see..I shall visit often.. :)

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  9. Luke PraterJuly 16, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Wood and nails are
    as alien to my being as those
    half-gestated Asian duck eggs.

    and the entanglement with Ashley judd...

    Exciting times ahead I think, Joe? Look forward to more interaction with you my friend

    Luke

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  10. AnonymousJuly 16, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    I would hope that he is as proud. This is a great ode.

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  11. hedgewitchJuly 16, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    You've captured that feeling we get when we try to look into the minds of those whose opinions mean the most to us--and sometimes we'll just never know. But hopefully your father would be on board with doing the thing you love and doing it well. I can't remember the exact quote this reminds me of, but it's something like "It's not as important whether a man decides to be a lawyer or a shoemaker, as whether he decides to be a good shoemaker or a bad one." If you get my drift.

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  12. waysidewordgardenJuly 16, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Enjoyed this piece; how true we try to please our parents and hope they approve and enjoy and encourage what we do...you've built some nice words here... keep on building those word castles and worlds!

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  13. LisaJuly 17, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    buildings built with words can stand the test of weather.

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  14. KatherineJuly 17, 2011 at 5:00 AM

    I would love to live inside a castle built of words .. how beautiful that would be! I don't know you or your dad but I reckon he'd be proud! Loved your post!

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  15. AnonymousJuly 17, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Absolutely delightful! I love this contrast/comparison that contains so much heart.

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