(Written for my daughter)

I could say:

How much I admire you,
Embarrassed,
You would
Shrug it off,
Not because you don’t care,
But because
You do.

I could say:

How much I applaud you
For the way
You conduct
Your life.
That you have
A dignity
That is laudable,
It would bewilder you,
Such observations.

Maybe, I should tell you:

How I envy you
Your strength and courage
Your beauty
But would you believe me?
Especially as you
Are unwilling
To recognize
Your own assets.
Perhaps, maybe,
You would believe me

When I say:

How proud I am
Of your ability
To face the enemy,
To stand your ground,
To fight.
Unlike myself,
Who would but
Play ostrich
To avoid confrontation.
There again, maybe,

I should acknowledge:

Just how much
I sincerely
Do love you.
What a blessing
You are to me,
Pure and simple.
That God knew,
How much
I would need
Heroes in my life,
So He gave me you.