Span of Life
A lifetime seen thru silence at your side,
From tiny lad to manchild in your shade,
One sole intent - to earn a nod of pride,
Tho' I was never worth the effort made.
In years past, I had ears fast to the rail,
My tympans aching for the waking word
That might let love or God above prevail,
But cold admonishments were all I heard.
'Hard work is how a father shows his love',
How many times I'd heard that empty line,
But as you left the earth for heav'n above,
I learned the selfless depth of your design ...
What my self-pitied eyes could never see ...
The mighty bridge that you had built for me.
~ 1st Place ~ in the "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Poetry Contest, John Hamilton, Judge & Sponsor.
~ 3rd Place ~ in the "Brian's Choice O, Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.
( Syllables = ten per line, counted at HowManySyllables.com )
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