Catherine Coneal | + Follow Poet |
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Father's Day 2020

Father’s Day 2020

Father’s Day this year, unexpectedly has me in tears.
Not sure why,
Where did the time go, 2.5 years ago we said goodbye.

I can’t watch the news it gives me chest pain,
Dad, what I’d give to talk to you again.
Topics we talked about in the 70’s,
Seems like long ago, we’ve made some strides.
Sometimes Dad the lies and hate are more than I can abide.

My father was a man of few words,
Unless he really thought you were listening, he was being heard.
People often underestimated his wisdom,
He was a workin’ man, no college degree.
Lessons he taught me over a cup of coffee,
Working his land, no boss man, accomplishments to him that he was free.

In 30 seconds, he would watch and listen,
He could size you up.
Were you honest? Were you fair?
Did you live your bible teaching, or were you full of hot air?

He’d say, don’t waste your breath arguing,
Most folks love the sound of their own voice.
You know right from wrong, often right is the longer, harder choice.

I left the country, went off to school
Dad would remind me- don’t let that book learnin’ go to your head,
You learned some things about the world, that’s well and good,
But never forget where you started, the hands that worked,
The long hours, the welding burns, the hogs and cattle that pulled you out of the red.

Don’t expect anything to be given to you,
Everything in this life worth having is earned.
Dad thanks for telling me to get up, every time I fell,
For all the lessons learned.

So many father’s day I’d ask- what gift did you want?
You’d always say – come visit me.
I didn’t get it then, I do now.
What I’d give to fish with you one more time,
Under the shade of those oak trees

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