A Father's Day Gift

An awesome responsibility to behold

Is that of a Father

Love and support is his role

To protect and to raise a new life is his goal

I was but a child when I came into my own

Mistakes I made often though try as I might

To be a good Father

That my children's future would be bright

Experience as a Father...

My cache was so small

But if I live by example

My larder would fill a great hall

For if my Father taught me one thing

Twas that I could grow to be strong

For his raising was coarse and full of abuse

His days filled with hunger

Yet he did not use it as an excuse

He raised us with Love despite his old life

He showed me affection

Between a man and his wife

Mistakes he made also

As all of us will

His strength was in growing

Out from whence he came

To a Father who taught me

To love just the same

He taught me the love

Of a great many things

The love of the hunt

And the beauty of Spring

To walk in the wilds

And enjoy what nature brings

But the one thing I've learned

More important than all

When you become a Father

You must answer the call


John Pope-Father's Day 2010