It’s the little things / Your Father, The Stoic
by Lily Thomas
Texas Online Preparatory School
Lily Thomas has been writing since she was 10 years old. After graduation, she plans to study animation at an English university. Lily is passionate about creativity and art of all kinds. She is a writer, poet, artist, and photographer.
it’s the little things
it's the pencil on the doorway
marking every year and age
as you grew taller and taller
it's the paint chipping off the wall
you've hidden it with a sticker
but it's falling down
it's the drawing above your bed
your sibling scribbled one night
that you forgot to clean up
it's the princess stickers in your room
that have been there for years
leftover from your youth
it's the toy on top of the clock
someone placed there one halloween
and never took off
it's the snowflakes in the window
the christmas decor forgotten
and now it's summer
it's the little things
in your childhood home
that you're not ready to let go
Your Father, The Stoic
Your father doesn't cry
He's tall and strong; he carries you on your shoulders
You cry, and he pats your arm
But he doesn't cry
You overhear him through the doors
Around the corner, you peer into his bubble
The one he never lets you see
He looks upset, but you don't know why
So you let him be
When you really think about it, there must have been moments before
When he let his guard down and you saw his brokenness
But maybe you were too young, maybe you were too scared
To let yourself think and understand what it means
The bathroom door is open
And in the mirror is his face
Tear tracks down his cheeks and wet, red eyes
Oh.
He sits you down and tells you the news
It isn't good.
As the years go by, his walls break down
He doesn't need to protect you anymore; you're strong enough by yourself
But you still run into your father's arms when you have the chance
You see his emotions more clearly now. Whether that be because of your maturity, or because he trusts you, you can't be sure
But he's so very human
Your father, the stoic
Interview with the Author
1. What inspired you to write this piece? What was your thought process throughout?
My love for poetry is greatly inspired by my best friend, Astra. She is a beautiful poet, and throughout our friendship, we frequently discussed and wrote poetry together. I never used to be interested in poetry, save for some songwriting here and there, but I have since fallen in love with the medium.
2. What do you hope readers will take away from your piece? What effects do you want the piece to have on the person, community, or society?
Much of my poetry is inspired by fiction, especially stories I create myself. Poetry is an excellent way to get into a character's mind and truly understand their point of view. I also write a lot about the world around me — the things I see in nature or at home. Poetry lets me explore these simple concepts through an artistic lens.
3. What is your favorite piece of fiction (short story, novel, flash fiction, etc.) that you’ve ever read? Why?
Passion, emotion, and love for the medium are vital for poetry. Poetry is a way to express yourself through unconventional styles to convey intimate, complex, indescribable feelings.
4. If you plan on continuing to write, what are some goals/plans you may have for your future?
Poetry is an art that predates us all, and the stories we've told for hundreds of years are still passed down through generations today. It is something that ties us to our ancient roots, something that unites us, something that is intrinsically human. In the rise of artificial creations, pure human creativity should not be taken for granted.