FINESSE

i like the times i can recognize
the inner strength that i own.
it’s funny that it only dawns on me
when others tell me what i have shown.

yes, much has fallen to my shoulders.
poor brother Bobby, taken under my wing.
when Pops and Timmy could not handle it,
because Mom died, and left me, alone, to sing.

but shoulder it i did, what else was there?
the insane were mainstreamed, left bereft.
the choice was to leave him, wandering,
or to take him to me, for what life was left.

and Daddy too, when he started failing.
the loss of his leg, then an arm, like a slaughter.
but i gathered him up too, to take him with me
to the places where i collect my water.

i do not trust the coffers and the cauldrons
of those who rule over our plains.
God only knows what you’re drinking,
and my health is the proof of my aim.

before the wheelchair, he loved going with me.
to Wahkeena Preserve, and on to Ash Cave.
in Southern Ohio, the natural Springs are abounding,
so it's a lifeblood to me to collect, and to save.

he kept all his litttle cartons that were lidded,
it was his way of doing what he could.
and of course he looked forward to our meetings,
catching Salamanders, then releasing them back to the woods.

we laughed of the days of catching frogs as children,
and watering the lawn to go out at night for bait.
with flashlights, we grabbed the big Crawlers,
and we knew the Fish just could not wait.

oh, my Daddy-O.  I still love him so.
that big man, that big lap, that big knee.
he was a circus ride, and he gave me my pride,
and he still resides in the best of me.

so, of course i mention him; always.
i think on him each and every day.
but today, on this Homage time, it’s special,
to allow others to know i have something to say.

my sweet little Daddy, i love you so.
and it’s by you that I carry on.
the siblings, the rivals, have all come ‘round to embrace me,
because you taught me the ways of Right, and not wrong.

there is nothing finer than this Lovelight,
there is nothing finer than this Grace.
and i thank my lucky Stars each morning,
for your guidance, that gave little Me, this place.

~

~ My Hero ~

Every Day Is Father's Day

~