An Ode to My Father
I was raised in a house of Dylans and Dharma Bums.
Where Peace was God and Lennon its prophet.
Raised to put my hands to no man, provided they did not put their hands to me.
My teeth were cut on Hobbits and Hobbes, dreams and Descartes.
I grew on a steady diet of westerns, baseball and long twilight porch talks.
I became strong, and learned that strengths can be weaknesses.
I was weak, and knew that weakness can be strength.
I learned to cry. I learned to fight. I learned to listen.
I learned the weight.
I was lead on the path of King, Kennedy, Lincoln and the Freedom Riders. I was taught to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
I learned that "fair" is "Paying good money to watch grown men in overalls throw cow chips for distance and accuracy."
I was shown that a man can cry without losing his masculinity. I was shown that a woman can argue without losing her femininity.
I was taught to love myself and to love others. To never turn your back on a true friend and to leave those friends who are not.
I understood to protect my heart, my house of seven gates, and to treat others hearts as carefully.
I was told that I had to be smarter than the door, the VCR, the car and the sundry other inanimate things that try to fuck up your day.
I listened to him and learned how to curse. I listened to him and learned how to speak eloquently.
I watched his every move, heard his every word. Even in the times I did not listen. Especially in the times I did not listen.
I was taught "The Art of War," but I was shown the ways of peace.
I knew from him that what is right and what is easy are rarely the same thing.
I carry my lessons with me, each day, through all that I do. And sometimes, I fail my teacher. Sometimes I do not act with the dignity, grace, love and ferocity he taught me.
But.
I will never forget the face of my father.
*************************************************************************************
I love you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day
Where Peace was God and Lennon its prophet.
Raised to put my hands to no man, provided they did not put their hands to me.
My teeth were cut on Hobbits and Hobbes, dreams and Descartes.
I grew on a steady diet of westerns, baseball and long twilight porch talks.
I became strong, and learned that strengths can be weaknesses.
I was weak, and knew that weakness can be strength.
I learned to cry. I learned to fight. I learned to listen.
I learned the weight.
I was lead on the path of King, Kennedy, Lincoln and the Freedom Riders. I was taught to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
I learned that "fair" is "Paying good money to watch grown men in overalls throw cow chips for distance and accuracy."
I was shown that a man can cry without losing his masculinity. I was shown that a woman can argue without losing her femininity.
I was taught to love myself and to love others. To never turn your back on a true friend and to leave those friends who are not.
I understood to protect my heart, my house of seven gates, and to treat others hearts as carefully.
I was told that I had to be smarter than the door, the VCR, the car and the sundry other inanimate things that try to fuck up your day.
I listened to him and learned how to curse. I listened to him and learned how to speak eloquently.
I watched his every move, heard his every word. Even in the times I did not listen. Especially in the times I did not listen.
I was taught "The Art of War," but I was shown the ways of peace.
I knew from him that what is right and what is easy are rarely the same thing.
I carry my lessons with me, each day, through all that I do. And sometimes, I fail my teacher. Sometimes I do not act with the dignity, grace, love and ferocity he taught me.
But.
I will never forget the face of my father.
*************************************************************************************
I love you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day