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 my head
I
see him in the garden, come early spring
With
his overalls on and his favorite hoe
He
stayed with it from the 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 and 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
He
taught me life 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, 2019
Happy Father's Day to all Fathers and may your day be as special as you.
Awe, what a beautiful tribute. As usual your poem is very heart warming. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteSusie, I love this story of your father. I would have loved knowing him. I seemed to always be envying someone else's father. I had two daddies. My real father who was kind of mean and drank too much. Then I had a step father, that loved me and my sibling as his own children. I miss them both. I loved them both. I did not hate my real father for his short comings. So I think your dad was a good man and very loving of his family. The way it was meant to be. Blessings, xoxo,love you dear friend, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteThis is a touching tribute to your wonderful Daddy. 94 years old is a long life and now he is at home with our Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem for your Dad, Susie. He left you with so many amazing memories.
ReplyDeleteOh Susie, I remember this dear picture of your Daddy. It really got to me when you mentioned him in the garden, as my Dad had a garden as well, and many times I helped him out watering, picking vegetables and gathering them to take home. The big apple trees your Dad planted sound wonderful. I can just see him splitting wood to start a fire in the snow wearing his plaid coat. We were so blessed to have good Fathers, Susie.
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri