19 Comments
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Cipher⁉️✨✨'s avatar

Love these images :)

Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you! 🙏

Travis Lowe's avatar

This strikes me as a beautiful walk through the abstract vagueness required in delicate moments with the people one loves. I love the "door" parrallels. Thank you.

Sam Aureli's avatar

It took a long time to get to this point. I don't know if I ever got to love my father. It's complicated, but this is the moment I truly learned about forgiveness and acceptance.

Thank you for being here, Travis.

Travis Lowe's avatar

I understand. You're not alone, and it makes this piece even more potent.

Anita Joy Edwards's avatar

So delicately expressed. I found conversations with my father could be difficult if we were to maintain peace.

Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you for reading and sharing your part, Anita. 🙏

M. Bearman's avatar

I really love this, and the nod to Job is so great too - I've been reading Job a bit lately purely for the poetry, Job 39:19-25 in the KJV is especially great

Sam Aureli's avatar

It is quite a remarkable story. I have another poem that references Job. That will be published soon, I hope. Thank you! 🙏

Marc Mannheimer's avatar

That's lovely! Relationships with dad's can be such a touchstone for wisdom, and feeling.

Sam Aureli's avatar

As difficult as the relationship was, I did learn a lot about parenting, more along the lines of what not to do. I am thankful my kids have shown me their own version of grace along the way.

Thank you for being here, Marc!

James Crews's avatar

Beautiful, Sam!

Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, James! I truly appreciate you stopping by. : )

Alex Dawson's avatar

Absolutely stunning ending line!

Sam Aureli's avatar

Thanks, Alex. It was a great lesson in 'less-is-more' when it comes to endings.

Denise T Drapeau's avatar

Beautiful, tender moment.

Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Denise! : )

Kassi Wilson's avatar

I find your poem relatable, I am asked the same questions. The power of your poem is the things

left unsaid, unspoken. And still there’s something comforting about the mystery between you and your father. I’m so glad you’re exploring the delicate topics. I look forward to seeing your work evolve!

Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Kassi. I am still in the process of uncovering that mystery. I just wish I had had the courage to have those difficult conversations with him when he was alive. I compiled a chapbook of poetry about that relationship and sent it out to competitions. Fingers crossed!