but if I’m honest
yesterday,
father’s day,
longing and sad,
i thought about Dad
yesterday’s
grocery store run:
car radio blaring
Brown-Eyed Girl—
way too loud—
i sang along,
danced in the car, felt young
but if i’m honest
that was joy
that was yesterday
Today’s prompt from the dVerse Poets Pub was to write a quadrille, a poem of exactly 44 words, using the word “honest”, or some form of it. I chose to capture the realization of a feeling I had yesterday, which was quite powerful and came during a moment of mindfulness in a too-busy life. Poetry is a wonderful form of expression and a way to process emotions, and I’m grateful to sometimes have the time to participate in the dVerse community. You can find links to the other poems here.
The poem is dedicated to my Dad, who absolutely would have preferred for me to experience the joy than to wallow in the sorrow. Honestly. And he would have liked the poem, too!
© 2025, Glover Gardens
Lovely poem.
Way too loud, I sang in the car.
It sounds like just the kind of joy your dad would have wanted for you.
What a beautiful way to think of him.
You “get” me! What song makes you sing the loudest?
Don’t stop me now by Queen, is one of my favorites
Oh, yeah!!! I’m going to find that in my iTunes and play it during my commute, instead of the (almost unbearable) news.
Sweet poem. When I was being contrary and refused to do something, my dad, too, used to say then he was going to go find his brown-eyed girl! Fine memories…
Your Dad sounds like a warm and fun person.
He was.
Father’s day isn’t the same once they’ve gone, Kim. I felt sad too, but cheered up a bit when my daughter sent pictures of her husband with my grandsons. I would sing along with ‘Brown-Eyed Girl’ too.
The joy comes from different directions and generations, but it’s still there. ❤️
Aww, this is special. I really enjoyed the images of yesterday that you brought to life.
Thank you, Mish! What was YOUR yesterday like?
Brown Eyed Girl is such a wonderful memory … our middle son used to sing often it when he was a teen, warming our hearts … your father would have loved it I know … as much as he loved you.
What a lovely comment, Helen; I am glowing. What song would make you feel the same?
Love the connection to the song… so much to remember… I lost my dad so many years ago… so I’m starting to forget (and he did not like music at all)
What is YOUR connection to the song? And, if your Dad didn’t love music, what DID he love? Everyone has a passion. Did he pass his on to you?
What a lovely poem. Thank you for sharing it.
This is a wonderful tribute to your dad, Kim!
Thank you so much! It’s one of many, I must confess. The man truly was a legend, the most honorable, funny and integrity-laden person I’ve ever met. I’m so lucky! How do you honor your Dad, whether he’s still with you or not?
Yesterday is usually rosier
Oh, there’s so much truth in that! But I’m putting on my rosy glasses for tomorrow, too. 😊
I thought there was a glimpse of grief in that line “That was yesterday” And yet the poem, by virtue of it’s joy in the moment offers hope, that’s how I felt. 🙂