Dad

He always made me smile,
He always had his own style,
Helped me take my first step,
Was there to hold me when I leapt,
Held my hand when I nearly fell,
Carried me when I wasn’t well,

Laughed with me when I lost my teeth,
Threatened to box my ears when I wasn't sweet,
Made fun of me, when I acted silly,
Bought me a dog named, Milly,

Was anxious when I came home late,
Scolded me, when I broke a plate,
Taught me how to swim,
Bought me presents on a whim,
Worried when I wasn't well,
Waited at my school till the bell,

Taught me right from wrong,
Taught me how to be strong,
Made an attempt to teach me math,
Decided to leave it at that,

Picked me up when I fell down,
Taught me how to trudge along,
Listened to me when I talked,
Was very troubled when I got stalked,
Took care of me when I was weak,
Gave me hope when I thought things looked bleak,

Wondered whether I had a phone attached to my ear,
Was quite sure that I couldn’t hear,
Looked concerned when someone broke my heart,
Offered to take him apart,

Gave me a gentle nudge so I would explore,
Told me that there were special things in store,
Smiled when I tried to sing,
Gave me courage to face new things,
Comforted me when I was sad,
And protected me from all that’s bad,
Soothed all my fears,
And wiped my tears,
Bought me lots of books to read,
Was kind to me in every deed,

Danced with me when I had two left feet,
Taught me how to handle defeat,
Held my hand when I was in pain,
Taught me how to hold an umbrella in the rain,
Was proud of me when I got my first job,
Taught me how to eat corn on the cob,

Encouraged me when I tried my wings,
Told me all what life has to bring,
Talked to me about everything under the sun,
Made me feel like the party had just begun,

I wish he didn't have to go away,
I know a part of me died that day,
And life will never be the same,
Somehow everything seems so lame.

-Poppy.

Dedicated in the memory of my father, who taught me so much and whom I miss more and more with each passing day….