In Honor of Father’s Day: Ad Patrem Meum (To My Father) – Original Poem
By Mark A. Leon
Fatherhood; a blessing, masked in a curse, nurtured with a miracle
Infancy evolves to childhood
Childhood to adolescence
Adolescence to adulthood
Adulthood to reflection
The role of father yet, remains the same
Without complaint, without remission, without hesitation
Maturity heightens awareness
Heroism slides down an unpredictable path leaving a permanent imprint of vulnerability
A father lets you grow
To make mistakes
To learn
To thrive on a life of purpose
He doesn’t turn back when you journey on your own; nor turn away when you are in need of a helping hand
He served his country with honor, his family with respect; his career with dedication
Often his dreams on hold
He cheers in silence and applauds out loud
Modest and distant to the outside world
Warm and safe to us
His hug is like a fortress of safety
His words, often so few, inspire and light the flame of thought
Oh father
Oh father
Oh father
He will disagree every step of the way
Impose judgement
A fortress from the hate all around
His greatest perfection is his abundance of imperfection
He is a teacher with the greatest lesson; to live a life of virtue and meaning
The hunter, the warrior, the gentle beast
He is my father
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