Dad, pick me up. Take me up to my room.
Let me sit in your lap with my face to the moon.
Pull out the big book, and sing me a song.
I'll rock in your arms, pain of day long gone.
-
Dad, pick me up. Put me to bed.
Tuck in my feet, and kiss my head.
Don't shut the door. The dark will get in.
I'll look at the time, red glow on my skin.
-
Dad, pick me up. I'm big now, but weak.
The glow is dull and the dark at its peak.
Pull me out of this pit. Lift my chin to the sky.
I'll hold your hand and the fear can die.
-
Dad, put me down. I have to go.
I love a man who adds life to the glow.
Don't shed a tear. I'll be home in good time.
But my hand is his now, not yours or mine.
-
Dad, put me down. Gift me the book.
It'll stay in my case with the ones that I took.
When I long for your hand and my eyes mist blue,
I'll hold them and know that you love me, too.
-
This poem was written in response to the Short and Sweet Challenge issued by Vocal: "Write a love poem using only words with four letters or less."
About the Creator
Emma Kate Coleman
An overworked hard news journalist seeking creativity and community. Lover of dogs, antique stores and homemade bread. Thrift queen and photography peasant. Happy to be here. :)
"Write hard and clear about what hurts." - Ernest Hemingway
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (12)
Outstanding work!
This is phenomenal! 🥹
The sweet cadence is just right -- feels like a nursery rhyme. An emotional arc of love.
A very sweet poem! Reading it brought back some great memories with my own dad. Thank you!
Nice!😊💕
Eloquently written!!!! Emotionally touching!!! Loved it!!!❤️❤️💕
Woah. This was powerful! Is someone cutting onions in here? Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem :)
This is lovely and would be great in our poetry weekend in Vocal Social Society on Facebook
Oh my goodness, this was so sweet! I like how you were able to honor two different kinds of love within one poem.
No matter what, we're always Daddy's little princess. This was so sweet!
Beautiful. Creative and full of emotion ❤️
Beautiful. Reminds me of cats in the cradle. 70’s song