For My Father

THIS MAN

This Man, father of my existence.

This Influence that persists until I die.

This Shadow, so embedded that 

Not one breath can be taken

Without reminder of his 

Presence.

This Figure, filling the doorways of memory.

Casting shadows of benign, irrevocable authority

On lives, actions, our very thoughts.

This Form, larger than Life 

When we were

 Young.

Strong and reassuring

Yet lumbering, stolid, and heavy.

A gait that spelled Certainty

of Purpose and intent

when we were 

Older.

This Rock, to be leaned upon,

Drawn upon, relied upon for Strength.

This Person, font of quiet wisdom

and Measured words.

This Partner for 

Life.

This Devotion, Patience,

 Deep Well of Understanding.

This Hero, benchmark for Life,

Who never aimed for, but

Became Iconic through his

Modesty.

This Paragon of Manhood,

Marriage, Loyalty, Commitment.

This Larger than Life man, who

Was really Just a Man, but

The Best that he could

Be.

This Father, my Father, our Father.

And Father to so many. He lived this example;

Kindness, Wisdom, and his Time

This is for him, from Us

All of Us,

Family.