When I look back upon my life, 
The years that I have had, 
The hero of my youth shines bright, 
In the memory of my dad. 

My father was a gentle man, 
And funny in his way. 
He seemed so tall when I was young, 
His smile could light my day. 

There seemed nothing that he couldn't do, 
He gave my life such joy. 
He could always fix a scraped up knee, 
Or mend my broken toy. 

My favorite place whas in his lap, 
Or perched upon his knee, 
My world seemed safe within his arms. 
He was the world to me. 

My dad's been gone for some years now, 
But he lives on in my heart, 
And what I am or may become, 
He molded from the start. 

He said the prize was in the trying, 
Not everyone could win, 
And if you failed the first time, 
Well, the next time try again. 

He taught me everyone was special, 
Each had a job to do, 
And though life could deal some lousy cards 
The Lord would see us through. 

He taught me all of us are equal, 
It's what's inside your heart, 
And in God's game of life, you see, 
We each play a special part. 

He taught me how to smile at life, 
When all was looking grim. 
I want to be the best I can, 
I want to live like him. 

Poem by Nancy Lezynski - Posted here with special permission by the author 
Please feel free to e-mail Nancy with any comments about her poetry at goldie@tca.net