"My Daddy"
(a poem)
My dad was in the army
Way before there was me,
But they taught him stuff
And in turn he taught me.
Obey you elders,
Show them respect,
Do as you are told,
An image you reflect.
Silence in the woods,
What tracks do you see?
Stay close, don’t get lost.
Make sure to follow me.
Pull back the bow,
So it don’t hit your arm.
Careful with the gun,
Do others no harm.
Bait the hook with a worm.
Tie a knot just this way.
When there is work to do,
Make sure you don’t play
Don’t trust people,
They will hurt you for sure.
Boys want to take,
And leave you impure
Don’t you start a fight,
But if the fight comes to you,
Make sure they are the ones
Who can't do what you do.
Crying is for sissies
don’t you shed a tear.
Never show weakness
or the least bit of fear.
Pine cones have a nut
You can live off the land.
Throw the knife by its tip
With a steady hand.
Don’t take what’s not yours.
Trespassing is a crime.
Work a honest day
If only for a dime.
Keep the tools clean
Each one has a place.
I knew he meant business
By the look on his face.
Computers are the future.
Learn all you can from me.
Reading teaches all things
With endless possibility.
If you’re going to drive
Know how to work them too.
The oil, the tire, the plugs
The broken brake shoe.
In pain, shrug it off.
Tell a joke, when scared.
Know when you are listened to
And when they no longer care.
Life happens.
Things die.
People hurt you.
People lie.
At camp, we were safe.
Dad had a gun.
Anyone come up
He could put them on the run.
He knows karate
Boxed above his class
Anyone hurt us
He’d knock them to the grass.
Daddy taught me plenty.
He could be really hard.
But he is who I thank
For being on guard.
A bit tuff on us girls
But that was OK.
He made me into
This woman today.
I thank my daddy
For being willing to fight
For my country, My freedom
And my liberty and rights.
(certain identities hidden by request)
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