Photograph of my Father

His side parting leans left, slightly,
balanced on the rim of glasses.
He smiles. A smile creating
pimples on his cheeks.

Pinstriped suit, lines barely visible,
in sunlight. Unlike the bright, white collar
and tie that is loosened, relaxed,
lowered into weekend leisure.

His contentment is reflected
in the image, his laugh captured
into something I can hear, all too clear
in the monochrome photo.

Buddy Holly. The Beatles too.
Sounds of my Father, the music
he played, when allowed, when
alone, but never too loud.

A camcorder rests by his side.
It rests alongside his wide
bottomed trousers. Soon, he will
take the film I’ve seen, that leans left,
ever so slightly.

……..

……….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin is a mature student at the University of Worcester. His poems are published in several local newspapers, online magazines and as a member of Worcester Writers’ Circle. When he was younger, his dad used to come home at the end of the working week, looking tired and bedraggled. Even so, it was rare to see him without a smile. Every time Kevin hears anything from the ‘Sergeant Peppers’ album or the songs of Buddy Holly, he is reminded of the crackling images in his dad’s slightly wonky, black and white camcorder films that captured his childhood.