On this Father’s Day I decided to write a poem in part for the father that Adam didn’t have a chance in this life to be and in part for all the fathers in my life I know and love. As I wrote this poem, I was inspired by several father/son duos in my own family who encompass all the aspects of fatherhood. One of those duos is my brother Ben and his son Sean, another is my brother Joseph and his son Bryson. And my own father and any one of his sons (or daughters). Lastly, it’s how I envision it would have been for Adam and Jeffrey, how it was for them the small amount of time they had together.

This is to all you fathers, for your love, dedication, and care:

Papa

Young

Still a child

Staring up with wide eyes

Seeing his hero

Bigger than life

Stronger than everyone

Than the world
Learning to walk toward that booming

Beckoning voice

Strong hands picking him up

After a fall

After a failure

Imitating him

His hero

With his toy hammer

Eager to be big

Like him

And help

Perched on the knee of a giant

Hearing stories

About life

Lessons learned through experience

And heartache

And faith

Working alongside

A master workman

Learning about devotion

And persistence

And sweat

And pride

Attached to his best buddy

Who holds him so easily

Effortlessly

Tossing him up

Catching him

Always catching him

Loving him through life

That solid, constant presence

A rock in the wild waters of change

Always there

Appearing when needed

A father

A papa’s love and care