Father
by
D.E.Z. Butler

Childlike as me, you brought

joy and chased away any fear.

Wiped away my tears, so I would

never fear.

Encouragement came from you

to me and always there to say,

“You can”. Not later or someday,

but a “can” is how to live by night

and day.

Never a sad word, not even two,

always a new thought for me to

live by, and always a step ahead, to

allow a path, for me to follow.

Pure love in your heart for me, a heart

that saw only the moon and stars and good

inside of all, especially me your kindred

spirit to stay and hunt with you to be quiet

for the day and night, so we were happy

as we found a fish or deer. Never to fear

the foe or scaly trout, for we gave back

and found the fun was only in the hunt.

I held your hand when crossing street and

when finding my feet not too firmly put

upon the sand. You were my strength to

have when life was sad.

Then you were gone, I was not to have you

long. A curve you never saw, and then you

joined your father. The father I will one day

know, as now my tears are dry for every day

I see your eyes. The tender man, the perfect

man. But I must know this man has gone.

Just memories of long ago, yet, he will always

be the father, the perfect father I once had.