Now You Know Better

Every daughter who turns forty Should get one of these A poem from her father Saying what he sees A home you're building That's warm, safe and kind What we'd all expect And hope to find So proud are we of your character, Intellect and what you are Your heart and skills as dancer, Wife, mother: you've taken far Turning forty's a right of passage Consequences, decisions made of clarity Now you're the one whose word Carries the weight and gravity Someday you'll decide what's best For your mother and me Same as we did for you When you were three It's the way it is as We reach to the night Children mature and Decide what's right Your offspring will Get your unswerving love Your family being safe With help from above You'll know better How to care for us When we're like children And tend to fuss Your fortieth year Marks a milestone With us you'll March forward not alone