Visual Poet’s Thirty, 30 Days of National Poetry Month 2011; The Daddy, Father’s Day Tribute Poem

On this day of National Poetry Month 2011; I honor my father with my Father’s Day Tribute poem, visual poetry The Daddy

Daddy, your lessons were heartfelt

Meaningful and matter-of-fact

On each of our lives; you definitely, made, an impact

A strong belief in God; you often, did display

You constantly, encouraged us, all

To do, as the Bible, say

You said, abiding the law was the cornerstone

For a successful life, the best, way

The boys, you taught and groomed, to be real men

The girls, you instructed; “Develop a career; a trade, to tend”

You said; “For, yourselves; you must always, fend”

You said; “Upon a man; never, ever, solely, depend”

And, you said; “If abuse occurs; freedom is yours”

“And, your heart; you can mend”

Daddy, you set the tone

You were, the daddy and momma to the eight of us

Completely, on your own

Your cold remedies were strong, bitter

And, many groans, were sown

But, just the same

Your parental concern, was actually, shown

Daddy, you were the captain

And, the anchor, of our crew 

You may not have been the daddy

Who didn’t blunder, a time or two

But, you were the daddy, subject to error

An imperfect being; as we all, adhere to

You were simply, the daddy

Who did the best, you knew, to do

Daddy, we appreciate your efforts

And the difficulties

You, went through

For that, daddy,

We will always, we grateful to you

And, a vase of blue iris

Will eternally pay tribute 

To your faith, wisdom and valor

All, knew as true

Daddy, you will forever be

The daddy, none

Can ever, compare

Daddy, you were certainly

The daddy, who genuinely did, care...

Excerpt from The Daddy

Copyright by Deborah Young, Visual Poet