My Hero

                                              When I go home across the hills at evening

                                               My little flock of memories gather in

                                               A gentle peace and quietness will settle

                                               I look back and remember my hero once again

                                               The man I always knew and called daddy

                                               That worked so hard to keep us fed

                                               With a wrinkled brow and callused hands

                                               He provided a roof and a place to lay our head

                                               I see him in the garden come early spring

                                               With his overalls on and his favorite hoe

                                               He stayed with it from beginning to end

                                               Nary a weed was allowed to grow

                                               I see him in the winter in the fallen snow

                                               Splitting pine for kindling to start a fire

                                               Gathering in the night's water and wood

                                               In his plaid coat and gloves, his favorite attire

                                               Each day I hear and see him with his dog Toby

                                               I'm going out to the old place, he'd say

                                               As they happily walked through my yard

                                               Oh what a keepsake memory today

                                               I see those big apple trees he planted

                                               Tall just like daddy, oh how they grew

                                               So many treasures I've come to enjoy

                                               When it comes to my daddy, I'm like glue

                                               He'd tell straight out, he never had much school

                                               Couldn't read or write, certainly no degree

                                               The gift of knowledge flowed through his veins

                                               For ninety four years he taught constantly

                                               To all that listened and wanted to know

                                               Wisdom from the most wise is a gift to behold

                                               As my daddy eased on down through life

                                               So much joy came in pouring out his soul

                                               He walked each road, climbed every hill

                                               He knew everybody for miles around

                                               If they didn't know him, they came to know

                                               He owned and had many a stomping ground

                                               So many examples he set before me

                                               So many memories, such good times

                                               From when I was little and even grown

                                               He taught me life's lessons, only he could design

                                               My daddy is now walking and talking in heaven

                                               Up there where fathers are a chosen kind

                                               I'm now left with my precious flock of memories

                                               And my hero's love he gladly left behind

                                               © Susie Swanson, 2015

This is a Repost from last year but I just had to put it up again. Father's Day is upon us and like so many I'm thinking of my dad and missing him more each day...I could write several books about him and the things he saw and lived through, the kind of life I can only see in my mind. I wish so much I'd  listened more but the things I did hear and learn will last me a lifetime. Happy Father's Day in Heaven daddy and to all the Father's out there. I wish you the best Father's Day ever and may it be as special as you all are.. ~Susie