Who Is My Father?

A hand strong and calloused,
That held onto mine,
A face, rough and wrinkled
With love in each line;

Eyes glinting laughter -
The laugh of a boy,
Who still could find wonder
In small bits of joy.

This life's complicated,
And at times, it's unfair,
And he shed humble tears
When he tripped on despair;

But what joy he created
When he strummed out a song!
He sang out his problems,
And coaxed us along.

With a mind that loved learning,
He tried hard to guide,
As he watched my young footsteps
And Followed with pride.

A heart seeking God,
He laid his soul bare
As he prayed for his family -
A father's tough prayer.

Who is my father?
He's all of these things,
Kept close in my memory;
He still makes my heart sing!
Edie Batstone