Please Dad...

As soft winds sweep away the days

I look back on life through a haze.

Remember playgrounds, parks and friends,

In childlike gaze that never ends.

The laughter in a game of catch,

Shall memory ever attach...

To innocence in youthful eyes,

Catching the ball to Dad's surprise.

I recall my first bike, first wreck,

Who picked me up, said, "What the heck?

"Convinced me to give one more try,

While, knees skinned, I forgot to cry.

Just the joy knowing he was there,

Making him proud my only care.

There was nothing I couldn't do,

My heart held fast that to be true.

Though teenage years were kind of rough,

I sure wasn't too big or tough.

You taught me to defend what's right

And never back down from a fight.

So I learned the hard way to stand,

Still, with each lump, I found your hand.

Drawing from you an inner strength,

And stubborn pride of equal length.

But there the line of fate was drawn,

As though I blinked and you were gone.

I found myself facing the sun,

Not man, not boy, fatherless, one.

Eyes blinded by a void inside,

I could not live that you had died.

Alas finding it to be true,

I could do nothing without you.

Please, Dad, today just hear my call,

I'm sorry that I dropped the ball.

My life is wrecked, my knees are skinned,

My emotions undisciplined.

I can't get up although I try,

Please don't be upset if I cry.

Though I can't fight what I can't see,

Please, Dad, say you're still proud of me.

by Michael Anderson