Puddle 1952 - M.C. Escher
Dispatching Suds
something was always brewing with my Dad.
following his footsteps around the dance halls,
taverns and dank hotels, he delivered
the cold ones but never imbibed
he led me down the beer garden path
to local breweries like molsons
where I nearly fell in a four story vat
an original golden child of nine
Ninkasi of Sumeria couldn't have wished
for a more congenial delivery boy
rising in the wee small hours of winter mornings
to dispatch the suds on tap, bottled or canned.
except for the beer strike, the big smoke always had their beer.
James Calderwood Crawford
1920-1967
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My Dad's favorite opera star was Mario Lanza. I still have six original RCA 45's that are red in color and are recordings of Mario Lanza that belonged to my Dad. Enjoy.
This is delightful. I can see it as I read it.
ReplyDeleteBee,
DeleteMy Dad worked diligently delivering the beer around Toronto. He dispatched the trucks from the main warehouse. Thank you for your delightful comment.
I thought so. I remember when I worked in the hotel industry the beer deliveries, the cellar man and him tapping the barrels. That's one of the reasons I found your piece so delightful.
DeleteAh.... Obviously the friendliness of purveyors of beer is universal and yes, delightful!! Thank you Bee.
Deleteahhhh a lovely sudsy remembrance.
ReplyDeleteKathe, Thank you for your lovely comments and for the friendly visit today, Kathe.
DeleteOh this is lovely. I'm sure you have such fond memories. It certainly sounds like it. One of my mother's most fav singers was Mario Lanza. What a voice! Of course she passed on her love of all the old music and musicals to me too. The Student Prince is one of my most fav movies.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to your dad.
Ren,
DeleteI have a LP of the Student Prince that was my dad's. I love Mario Lanza's voice too. Even his name is like a melody. Most of my memories of my Dad are related to his work. His company spent many hours creating picnics, holiday parties, summer corn roasts.... we had fun. Thank you for coming around with your own happy Mario Lanza memories. =D
smiles....cool that you got to go along...bet it was pretty fascinating as a kid....i got to do newspaper delivery...ha...not the same...smiles...
ReplyDeleteBrian,
DeleteI had a crush on our local paperboy..... was that you? My dad and I were close. Like my dad, I was never a fan of beer. The part about nearly falling in the vat at Molsons is true. Funny back in the day, that they would let a child hover over an open vat of beer. =D
I think my father was one of those appreciative imbibers! This is unique and beautifully composed! Cheers!!!
ReplyDeleteHelen,
DeleteYour father and my mother too! Thank you for the beautiful comments you left here. Cheers back at you!
I like the friendly atmosphere of this one. Excellent write.
ReplyDeleteUndercaws,
DeleteMy dad was such a friendly guy. I'm so glad that sparkled in the poem. Thank you for the excellent comment. Very kind. =D
Enjoyed your childhood memories of your father ~ Thanks for sharing this ~
ReplyDeleteGrace,
DeleteI am glad you enjoyed the memories and thank you for the visit here today. =D
Oh this is a lovely tribute to your father Linda...I know he is smiling!
ReplyDeleteTess,
DeleteHe is always smiling Tess.... thank you for the generous comments and I am always glad when you visit here. =D
Vivid and atmospheric!
ReplyDeletePatteran,
DeleteThank you for the visiting time and for leaving these kind words. =D
Did your father own a pub? What an interesting childhood you describe! I've toured a few breweries, myself, Budweiser, Coors, Guinness and Bushmills. Cheers to your dad!
ReplyDeleteCatfish Tales,
DeleteHe might as well have owned a pub.... if he dispatched the beer on time, the hotels and restaurants sent over a bottle of the hard stuff or cooked him up a steak. We had amazing parties at our house when I was a child. Thank you for the good cheer and for your interest in my Dad's work. =D
Wow what a great piece! thanks for sharing and visiting.
ReplyDeleteIzzy,
DeleteThank you for visiting and for leaving behind these kind words. They are appreciated.
a creative and lovely tribute to your dad. thank you for sharing
ReplyDeletepart of his life.
Paige and Shauna,
DeleteAwww.... thank you both for for this lovely message about my poem and my Dad. I am grateful. =D
I'm so drawn to the visual quality of this poem..and love the photo of your dashing Dad...have some of my Mom inside a roadster like this..but NYC..still so much class!!
ReplyDeleteLyn,
DeleteVintage photos have unique patinas all their own, don't they? I appreciate the kind message you've posted here, Lyn and I have to say, NYC is a very classy city. Your Mom has gifted all of us with inspirational you. I am grateful. Thanks! =D
Sweet memories... amazing he never imbibed. I bet you felt like a grown-up delivering beer with your dad.
ReplyDeleteLaurie,
DeleteMy Dad and I always had fun adventures together. He taught me so much about life, and he had the best giggle. The memories are sweet, definitely but I have to say, he never drank beer. He was a Navy man........ Lamb's rum was his favorite. =D Thank you for the visit and the sweet words you wrote.
lol.....nearly fell into a four story vat??!!! How'd he be able to explain that one to your mum...??
ReplyDeleteHelena,
DeleteYou have so nailed my father!! Not the most responsible ship at sea. =D I don't think I was supposed to be in some of the tight places I found myself.... but life was interesting, none the less. Thank you for visiting with your keen sensibilities. I enjoyed your candor. =D
Looks like a real happy go lucky lad, Linda, and he lives on through you !
ReplyDeleteKutamun,
DeleteYou are not the first to use happy go lucky to describe my Dad, oh wise one. He was full of fun and very kind. Both my daughters have inherited his joyful countenance too. "Ninkasi of Sumeria" was a little Kutamun antiquity rubbing off in my verse today. Thank you. =D
Thanks for a chance to visit the past with you and your dad.
ReplyDeleteBerowne,
DeleteI enjoyed writing this classic snapshot of my Dad. Glad you stopped in to share the visit. Thank you. =D
Such a lovely,interesting visual snapshot of your dad. Nice.
ReplyDelete