Taking Root
Being introduced to our youngest foster son.
Remembering how our first introduction was me trying to hold your hand and you throwing french fries at me,
how I watched you fill the dining area with your giant smile and let your uncontrollable laughter fill my ears and heart,
makes me feel better about the way that heavy greasy air sits in my nose and lungs every time I return to McDonalds.
It's almost comforting, how that thick air took root deep in my chest that day, how you took root deep in my heart that day,
and how the sight of golden arches and the smell and taste of fries reminds me of our beginnings.
About the Creator
F Cade Swanson
Queer dad from Virginia now living and writing in the Pacific Northwest. Dad poems, sad poems, stories about life. Follow me on insta at @fcadeswanson
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan6 days ago in Beat
Comments (21)
Absolutely stunning poem. McDonalds has a special meaning for me also. I took my Grandchildren to MdDonalds and have special memories there. Nicely done, and congratulations on your caring for the foster child. It is about love and connection not biology. Nicely Done.
Congratulations, Wade!! I love this poem and how it expresses the feelings you have for that foster child. I admire anyone who is a foster parent. I think It can be very difficult parenting, so bravo to you!!
There is a neat foster home near where I live that is so beautiful.
Back to say congratulations on placing third place on this week's leaderboard with Most Popular Story! Well earned and deserved!
What a winning and beautiful picture of father/son love and care
This is so sweet! Great work!
Your poems about your kids always get me tearing up, they're so beautiful and filled with your love for them 🩷 I can feel the nostalgia coming from this piece, so amazing!
I can feel the nostalgia oozing out of this. Beautiful poem! Congrats on the Top Story!
Crush my heart with sweetness! Fantastic imagery
great work
This is a very special poem
Best and relatable. Congratulations on top story!
I wonder how many youthful first dates were at McDonalds Congratulations
What a wonderful tribute to the enduring love and joy that can be found in fostering a child. Congratulations, too, on the Top Story!
Oh my. This is beautiful. Congrats on the TS.
This was an exemplary piece, it shows just how much you loved your son; that you took in your surroundings the moment you met, to hold close to your heart in memory. What an amazing father you are, you deserve so much respect and recognition for this piece. Congratulations on your Top Story 🎉🎊🥳🥳🎊
Oh my, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever read about McDonalds. Well done on a beautiful and as LC said, simple but really not, poem. Loved this and congrats on Top Story!
Simple and yet really not, at the same time ❣️ Well done on TS!
It's strange how sights and sounds and smells invade our most precious moments
I love the association of food and good memories. This is poem is a celebration of life and joy. I loved it!
Awww!!! This is just so freaking wonderful and happy!! Loved it :)