An Ode to My Father

I see you in the mirror

I feel your blood pumping through my heart

You called me your greatest achievement

I call you my foundation

Never telling me what to do, or how to live,

instead living your life,

and letting me watch,

modeling how to work hard,

how to think critically,

how to wonder and create,

how lead with love and honesty

You've loved me unconditionally

and showed me how to do the same

You love us all in this way

and I see the sacrifices you've made

When I was little,

we would dance with my feet on top of yours

When I was little,

you smelled our breath at night--

building good habits and strong teeth in your daughters

I have always brushed my teeth for you--I always will

When I was little,

you assembled our bicycles and our bunk beds,

and you painted our bedroom walls, and more,

to help us lean into the identities we were building

Throughout my life, I have continued to express myself

through hard work

and love

and creativity,

in an effort to figure out exactly who I am

I'm still working it all out;

I think you are too;

But when all is said,

and all is done,

I am your daughter,

and you're forever my father

Reviews

[Ballpark Frank]

This made me cry. I loved my dad the same. My dad was incredibly wise and loved me very much. I'm the way I am because of him.

Excellent!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I love this.

Parents can tell us all they want to about how to live, but what they do to set an example is what we really listen to.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem for your father.
"But when all is said,
and all is done,
I am your daughter,
and you're forever my father"
I have three daughters and I hope I left kind memories for them. Thank you dear poet for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote