An a Is Born

I took the long way home that day The year when I was ten I passed cows and fields of hay Then passed the cows again The day was cold, snow in the air But I felt none of that My hands were numb, fingers were bare And I'd forgot my hat I should look forward to the flame In Ma's old black cook stove The kitchen smells always the same And pies in that alcove But none of that was there that day I'd got a big fat "F" Oh, there were 'A's too, I should say But there's a big fat "F" Then it was over, I was there, A tear rolled down my cheek I was breathin' mighty thin air So thin I couldn't speak Pa knew what day it was ,of course, And held out his huge hand More tears fell out and made it worse - I tried to be a man "Ma, come see these A's this boy's got! He's gettin' smarter still. Why, we'll be proud and proud a lot To claim this boy, we will!" He said," There's some tears in this place - Must be work goin' on! That means it's hard and needs some space, An A is bein' born!" I remember those words that day And smile at what they taught - Learning's more than getting an A - Pa knew more than I thought September 25, 2016