| The Man I Called "Daddy" Cathy J. Montgomery Writing this poem had been a catharthis for me--couldn't help but weep as I wrote it! It encompasses everything that my father had meant to me. Such vivid memories! It felt like he had been right there in the room with me as I wrote it. |
| I I remember my Daddy, sitting in his easy chair, with a cup of hot, strong coffee as he relaxed there; He'd tell his war stories so fascinatingly, his words came alive for me so captivatingly! Until I could really see his long-ago history! I remember, too, how he watched the news so carefully, expounding his views most profoundly, and I thought him, assuredly, the smartest man around...here or there... there couldn't be anyone, anywhere, quite as smart as this man I called "Daddy!" Oh, I remember as well, his voice and his yell, Marine-trained and all, bouncing off the wall, filling every room with "Reveille, rise and shine!" And all I could do was whine, knowing he'd gruffly boom, "What?! You gonna' sleep your whole life away? Why...you've already wasted half your day!!" So...certainly, I "rose and shone!" (Though I wanted to say, "Just leave me alone!") But I couldn't stay in bed too much longer, for Daddy "dear" would persevere... and compared to mine, his will was so much stronger!! Yes, I remember, too, how he would often joke, even at himself he'd poke fun--then his laugh would reverberate, and I always knew there really were few who could relate anything as great as he could always do! Not many could resist... not many could desist, from joining in, laughing with him, too! I recall, especially, how he loved to see Mama get just a "bit" angry. Then he acted like it was such a surprise when fire "shot" from her flashing eyes! Oh...but, he knew what he was doing-- for, that was exactly what he was pursuing!! His eyes twinkling, his lips wrinkling in a smile so wide 'til it made me feel so warm inside, as I could see this man become the very epitome of that blessed state known as "happy!" Home Poem Index |
| II But...I saw his anger, too, as I began to do anything that was unkind; For, of all the things he'd mind and that he hated to see-- he felt most grieved if he had perceived any selfish greed in his own family!! For others he'd feel, With others he'd deal, but, no way they could be as beloved as his own family! And I remember, too, he'd lay down his life for them, he didn't care what it cost him; He'd suffer, even strip himself bare, just to make sure they were secure-- for he loved them all so extraordinarily-- this man I called "Daddy!" Oh...the memories go on as I can see him now-- his face reddened by the sun, his eyes, a steely blue, his hands so large and rough, Calloused by the hard work he'd do; And...how very trim and tough in his own strong, stoic way! Yet...as I remember, I begin to see... that, somehow, inside of him, there played a chiming melody... sweet as it softly played in purest harmony... Oh, Daddy, why couldn't I see then, that deep within your heart you sang a sacred hymn-- one that God had given you-- a sweet love song which lasted your whole life through? It was a melody, never spoken... never heard... communicated without a word; Oh, precious melody sung in a thousand ways, when I remember you, my Daddy, from those faraway days! And.. I must proclaim now, I didn't know how music sung so silently could have such harmony! But, it's music that's real! It's a song that lives on when in memory I feel the love from you now! Oh, yes, your song weaves its way, it still dances today; in my heart it plays on in the love that sings, in the love that rings, from me to my own-- my own beloved family. It's a melody too dear for mortal ears to hear, a song from Eternity-- one I learned from you, just a man... the man I called "Daddy!" Back Next |