DAD

© RYAN GUILEY

Now you are both older,

We have lost so many years,

Carrying you on my shoulders,

As I often think of you and care.

The years of child rearing are lost,

So much taken away so quickly,

Couldn’t take you to see Santa Claus,

Or touching my face which is prickly.

Couldn’t see you tie your own laces,

Not taken you to the zoo or kids places,

I don’t know your favourite cereal,

Or if you like certain music on the stereo.

Going down the grocery aisles,

And filling up the shopping cart,

Or pedaling our bikes so many miles,

No parent should be broken apart.

Going to the park on the swings,

Or hearing the school bell ring,

To see you with your nice friends,

Or in a school play of pretend.

To see you write your name,

On the lines of the paper pad,

Or play with you board games,

Or hearing you just say ‘Dad”.

Folding a paper airplane that flies,

Or watching you fall asleep,

To see your mother in your eyes,

Or at the beach, dig a hole so deep.

Camping days or seeing a report card,

To see that you achieved and work hard,

To know what your best subjects are,

Or take you in a ride in the family car.

Or to hear you ask questions,

So I could give you knowledge,

Or see your sport team to win,

Or your dream about college.

I don’t know what they tell you?

But you know that this is true,

I miss you every day while you grow,

As your mother will tell you as she knows.