Very wise poetry and advise.

All that great advice I have taken from others with that proverbial grain of salt, as for all intents & purpose's, we all gotta do what we gotta do, when we do it or not...-e-

You capture life's choices so well. Wonderful, as always.

I believe this is one of your best poems. It's hard to have a parent who was never a role model. At least your turned out well. Some people would say that your hardships honed you into a fine person. I don't like to say that because that would be belittling someone's pain.

I BET YOU'RE GLAD THAT YOU HEEDED YOUR DAD'S ADVISE. A FATHER IS IMPORTANT IN A BOY'S LIFE AND IN SPITE OF THE ALCOHOL, THERE WAS GREAT WISDOM THERE. THANKS FOR SHARING RONALD. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

Life's lessons learned. Well done.

sounds like my father lol, he had lots of good advice, I love the rhythm you created upon each line and stanza Ron, well don, Have a great day, be inspired !

Yes, my dad would say, "Don't as I do, not as I say!"
What was I suppose to do? Look the other way?
Your poem is full of sound advice and much wisdom too.
Keep it coming, Ron. This world is lacking smarts today.
So just keep doing what you do!
Amen, my friend...

Seems to be some very sound advice in this one, from father to son. Indeed, sometimes it is necessary to follow what people say and NOT what they do. Which really raises the question: Why do you say what you do not do. A question for the ages . . .

Good parents want a better life for their children. Your father exemplified that.

Hello Ronuld Hull

Thank you for this post.

I read your poem.

Its a wonderful one - i love the story behind it. I like the way you put it across.

I too have begun to write poems again. Reading yours is very useful.

All the best to you

Evelyn

very nice use of cliche phrazes. Well done

Sound advice in this rhyme, better to heed the words before you lose your last dime!

Great Poem Ron ...

He gave you some excellent advice Ron. I believe you took that advice.

Your father was a positive influence in your life although, as most kids, we didn't see it that way at that time. Wonderful memories!

Love ya!

Jane

Well spoken, Ron ...

When we were kids, "Do as I say, not as I Do"
Was a favorite idiom of most adults, or "grown-ups".
Even older siblings, and/or friends, wished to impart to us,
To teach us to avoid costly mistakes that they made.

But, all to often, we just did not understand, and we thought that
They were "Preaching" to us.

Sometimes, "The College of Hard Knocks" was the Best Teacher,
If only we understood it.

Peace, my Friend. ✌️🙏

Words of wisdom created in poetic form that unfortunately represents one of the most egregiously missing elements in father/son relationships: the sharing of experience that allows the imperfections of a father to be seen as warning signs, not dictatorial insecurities. Far too often in my experience as a director/teacher, actors bring horrific stories of their youth, relative to their fathers, that take a great deal of effort and work to turn into positive tools. My off-the-stage, out-of-the-classroom, experience in everyday life over the years has proven the same. Everyday father/son relationships could use more of what you espouse here. A well thought out piece.