DAD

 

DAD

Dad

I am an old man now

just like I thought you were

when I was a lad

My old bones creak

and my muscles

are getting weak

I have to try and find

the words before I speak

What a fool I was

back then thinking your

ways were out of date

and things had changed

and how

I could show you how to live

in the now

I never realised

that you were teaching me

how to be the man

I am now

Dad

you gave me my love of words

my love for knowledge

taught me how to think

to get the answers

not just be told them

I never realised

that you were teaching me

to be the man

I am now

Your patience

Your gentleness

Your mild amusement

Your knowing smile

Dad

I am an old man now

growing roses

like you taught me how

I hear your voice

as I walk around looking at each one

as you used to do

I never realised

that you were teaching me

to be the man

I am now

Dad

I hope you look down

and smile

at this once rebel

with the long hair

and see now

it’s short and grey

and slowly drifting away

I never realised

that you were teaching me

to be the man

I am now

Dad

There is so much more

I want to say

Perhaps my heart

can only find these

words

Thank you

for I am the man

I am today

because of you

©merimaat 2022

FOR MY DAD RON