A Father's Pride

A Father’s Pride

Many years are gone; much time has passed.
Ah, my son, it went so fast.
Now it doesn’t seem so long ago…
You came into this world after winter’s last snow.
The days were warm; there were buds on the trees;
The sweet scent of flowers was in the spring breeze.
Your wonderful mother, the Lord rest her soul…
She brought home a sweet baby with hair black as coal.
You had warm brown eyes and a devilish grin
And a charm that absolved all the trouble you’d get in.
You were a good baby, energetic and bright—
You were two-and-a-half before you slept through the night.
         --Is it nighttime now? Or almost dawn?
                   Did you remember to mow the front lawn?
You, dear boy, are my only son.
You were my baby, my only one.
I miss the times past, the bruised eye and scraped knee…
And the arm that you broke when you fell from a tree.
I can remember…when you were a child…
You were a good boy, though just a bit wild.
         --I feel so tired…Is it time to nap?
                   Wasn’t that lightning…and a thunderclap?
As a teen you gave us a great deal of grief;
When you came home, it was a relief.
Drinking and brawling, staying out till all hours…
Your mother would be furious—until you’d give her flowers.
Then she’d admonish you for chasing girls
And you’d tease her about the gray in her curls.
The storm would blow over; all would be made right,
Then you’d do it all again the following night—
Your mother provided for all your needs
But as for punishing your misdeeds,
She could not bear to reprimand—
Even when you toppled the parade grandstand.
So it fell to me to set you straight,
To punish you when you came in late…
I was the strict one—I had to be—
But it was worth the effort…that I can see.
Sometimes…sometimes…you made life pure hell
But in spite of it all…son, you grew up well—
Sharp of wit and keen of mind,
You’re a lot like your mother—loving, good and kind.
         --There’s a gentle rain falling…listen…pitter-pat…
                   Hurry outside, boy, and bring in the cat—
My child…my boy…
You’ve been my life’s joy.
Watching you grow—
Son, it’s been quite a show…
But the curtain is closing now;
The time has come…for my final bow.
All too soon I will leave this life
And join your dear mother, my beloved wife…
         --Far off in the distance I can see a bright light…
                   Set off by itself amid the darkness of night…--
As I lay on my deathbed, I’ve nothing to rue—
My final thoughts, dear boy, are…of you
I want…no, I need…oh, I wish I could stay…
I have so much to do; I have so much to say—
But time…ever running…time has run short…
And I was never good at things of this sort…
Feelings, for me, are so hard to express
But this is one thing that I have to confess:
I’ve not said it often, but it’s certainly true—
Remember, my son, I shall always love you.
         --The darkness retreats; the light draws ever near…
                   Love…warmth…peace…your mother is here…