Pride and faith in a father transcends..........

I Remember Daddy


For as long as I knew him
My Daddy's faith was in himself
He was never defiant toward religion
The man just didn't need it
He showed genuine love for his family
Worked hard enough to be a boss
Yet a man far too practical to believe
In what his minister-brother preached
And what his saintly mother believed sacred
Each child attended Sunday school
Wondering if their Daddy had found
Something better and wouldn't share it
On Christmas morning of my twelfth year
In a Great Depression time of the world
His meager pay hardly enough to pay the bills
He had awakened early or not slept at all
When I saw him staring at the skimpy tree
And at mostly clothes as Santa's presents
Knowing what his children expected
There was no joy in the gift display
In his private way my Daddy was apologizing
He held a handkerchief to his face
And quietly sobbed like a young le boy
Creeping back to bed I knew for all of my life
That his tears were those of a loving good man


F William Broome 2007