A Poem For My Dad...

I wrote this poem for my Dad 17 years ago.

DAD

I remember fishing when I was six years old;
the snow had just melted, the water still so cold
I sat upon your knee and watched you tie my hook;
the pictures now so very clear, like pages in a book
you pointed to a place in the river and said, "Cast it right in there"
you promised me that there were fish in that river;
and you always knew just where.

You have always amazed me, the things that you have done.
I just want to tell you,
that I'm proud to be your son
If I didn't thank you then,
I want to thank you now.
If it takes all my life, I'm going to pay you back somehow

It is a sad but natural thing,
Father and son drift apart.
Through all of these years,
Dad, I have loved you with all my heart.

I remember the Christmas when I was only eight
I woke you bright and early, when I knew you were up late;
assembling that race track in the middle of the floor
It really didn't matter what relatives walked through the door

We played with it all morning,
racing side by side;
Who won never mattered,
There was never such a tiling as pride.
It brings back a memory,
a gift I should have sent;
to let you know just how much it really meant.

We have discussed a lot of matters,
over sausage, eggs, and toast.
Advice and words of wisdom
are what I remember the most.
I can say that I'm a man now,
and you have raised me well.
One day I will have a son too,
and I can't wait to tell him that his grandpa
is the finest man that I ever knew.
If I had my choice, my son would be just like you

I'm thanking you now for the things that you have done;
I have to say that I'm very proud to be your son