Whoever Our Dads Are, We Had No Say

This BBC Upload featured poem honours the full spectrum of father experiences - from heroes to heartbreaks, present to absent, nurturing to neglectful. Whether your relationship with your father is loving, complicated, painful, or somewhere in between, this reflection validates your truth.

If Father's Day feels difficult, if typical celebrations don't match your reality, or if you're navigating grief, disappointment, or mixed feelings, you're not alone. This piece offers gentle recognition that our fathers' experiences are diverse, and whatever yours may be, they deserve acknowledgment.

Who it's for:
Anyone with complicated Father's Day feelings
• People grieving fathers
• Those with absent/difficult fathers
• Adults processing childhood experiences
• Anyone seeking validation for non-traditional father relationships
• People supporting others through difficult Father's Day emotions

Transcript

Some dads happily show their feelings.

Some dads find that unappealing.

Some dads paint their kiddies nails.

Some dads tell amusing tales.

Some dads are too often intoxicated.

Some dads' views feel so outdated.

Some dads now are mums instead.

Some dads now have balding heads.

Some dads can't help but scream and shout.

Some dads work till they're burned out.

Some dads are such a ball of fun.

Some dads are experts in bad puns.

Some dads are no longer alive.

Some dads are just trying to survive.

Some dads love other men.

Some dads are powerful businessmen.

Some dads help out in tough times.

Some dads are doing time for crimes.

Some dads try to improve on what their dads did.

Some dads act as if they're still kids.

Some dads think they're always right.

Some dads pick the battle,

Not fight.

Some dads are expert at building campfires.

Some dads are disappointing cheats and liars.

Some dads are grieving lost offspring.

Some dads act as if they are king.

Some dads are just so missed each day.

Some dads are just so in the way.

Some dads are the safest port of call.

Some dads do things that would appal.

Some dads were never on the scene.

Some dads are a bit too keen.

Some dads behavior would be called abuse.

Some dads act the silly goose.

Some dads are mums too.

Some dads are the family glue.

Some dads will never apologize.

Some dads are cool and calm and wise.

Some dads are a real life hero.

Some dads are a real life zero.

Whoever our dads are,

We had no say.

So as you experience Father's Day,

Know that whatever may be your situation,

It's likely to be a complex combination.

Reviews

Jackys words resonate with me so beautifully. Her poems are often funny, poignant, sad and beautiful all at once. If you are a reflective soul this teachers for you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️