Poetry Magazine of Alberta - "Threads of You" by Diana Abdulhameed

Poetry Magazine of Alberta –

"Threads of You" by Diana Abdulhameed

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May 15th, 2026

Alberta Poetry Contest #1 – First Place

Threads of You

by Diana Abdulhameed

I lost you once in quiet ways,
A fading of the man I knew – 
The stroke that stole your steady voice,
Yet left your tender heart so true.
And then you slipped beyond my reach,
Again, on wings of final rest,
A second sorrow, tightly leashed,
Two griefs held heavy in my chest.
 
But still I see you as you were,
A fortress built of strength and grace.
A man of wisdom, rich and wide,
Of kindness written on your face.
You loved so fiercely, lived so full,
You noticed beauty everywhere;
The world to you was made of light,
And life was something rare and fair.
 
There were moments when your joy
Was bright and pure, as a child's might be,
Yet still I looked to you with awe,
The strongest man I'd ever see.
Even when fortunes slipped away
And life grew heavy, harsh, unkind,
You stood up tall with quiet pride
While storms were raging in your mind.
 
You rarely shaped your pain in words,
But I could read you with my eyes –
Your silence carried tender truths,
Your gaze held stories deep and wise.
And through it all, our bond was ours,
A sacred world of shared delight –
The books we touched, the dreams we spoke,
The little trips that felt so right.
 
I loved the way we'd wander slow
Through shelves of stories, side by side,
Or shop for things we didn't need,
Just happy in each other's stride.
Those simple hours meant the most –
A father's love, a daughter's place,
A life of learning, hand in hand,
A home created in your grace.
 
Now grief sits where your footsteps were,
Yet still your spirit stays with me,
In every truth you helped me seek,
In every lesson set me free.
I lost you twice, its true, my dad
But here's the part grief cannot claim:
Your heart lives on within my own,
Your strength still rises in my name.
 
And when I walk through quiet aisles,
Of books or stores or days I knew,
I almost feel your hand in mine,
A whisper soft, a gentle cue.
And though the world has changed for me,
One thing remains both strong and true:
My father – steady, brave, and kind,
I carry all I am from you.

About the Poet
Diana Abdulhameed resides in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Read the poet's biography and Wax Poetry and Art publications on Diana Abdulhameed's Artist Page.

This poem is also featured in Poetry World #15, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.

Keywords: father's love, strength, homage

Previously published in Poetry Magazine of Alberta:
This is the first poem published.

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