He gave me life

and was always there

standing in the gap

of my childish needs

and fears

he gave us love

with powerful arms

and sturdy shoulders

to carry the pain of our growing

family

then in a flash so sudden

he was gone

and the scene of his absence

filled our tired eyes

well-watered with sorrow

then, as the burden he bore

fell to another generation

I discovered the true price of his struggle

how he sacrificed his tomorrow

for everything we have on this Father’s Day

and I just hope that I can live up to the vision of life

the picture of love he painted only yesterday