A Letter To My Children - pipTalk Forums

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RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

0 posted 2001-06-17 01:38 PM

In life so little is certain,
Not much is guaranteed,
The call for the final curtain
Is not ours I'll concede.

I'd like this opportunity
In the limits of this space,
To hear ol' Dad in unity
While you four are in one place.

I know you're teens and I hope the sound
Of my voice won't grate your nerves,
Where you go I've been, and been around,
Made my choices and observed.

And the paths I've often taken,
I'm confessin' led to strife,
Raised in wrath see my mistake an'
Learn your lessons from my life.

I've eliminated all brutality
And poverty in your upbringin',
Tried to illustrate morality,
Lighten souls through family singin'.

Taught you to aggressors rebuff,
Ward off the advances of strangers,
To draw the line and say "enough"
To any who'd lead you to dangers.

I too was young and know it's hard,
For the whole time you're assumin'
Parents are perfect, now you're jarred
That we are after all human.

Well it's true, I've never denied it,
This was no play, we not a cast,
No ruse nor endeavor to hide it,
Now it's your day what's past is past.

To mother and I you're the source
Of what good in life we've to show,
Please smother the lie our divorce
Would deprive you the Love that you know.

While on that subject, respect your mother,
Worry less of this ol' poet,
You're it, she has no sisters or brother,
I'm tough as nails and you know it.

Recall what I've always told you,
When as toddlers this big world was frightnin',
You ran to Daddy to hold you,
Wether monsters or thunder and lightnin'.

As calm as I could through the fury
Of a life you thought at its worst,
That never your little hearts worry
Lest you saw me worry first.

Know too that as you consume
All your time with your current friends,
That the ones who you shard a womb
Will alone be there till the end.

When the faces around you estrange
And your hearts are dismissed by another.
Know the grace which can never be changed,
In the Love of your sisters and brother.

As you venture to tomorrow
For another you will care,
This can often lead to sorrow
And a pain that's hard to bear.

For Love's a part of living
And your hardest lesson learned,
Be sure the heart your giving,
Finds it's equal in return.

Please be honest and communicate,
Don't assume you know their thought,
Go beyond your first infatuate
Or your bloom was all for naught.

When you see that this road is clear,
By all means go ahead and wed,
To a partner, no domineer,
Never take anger to your bed.

To fellow humans show respect
And give the benefit of the doubt,
Not the price of your own neglect,
Before that happens throw the bums out.

As I've mentioned through the years,
To learn, observe and hold your tongue,
You've one mouth, two eyes and ears,
Be mostly silent when you're young.

Soon you'll all go seperate ways,
My silent melancholy is like,
The distant unforgotten day
I taught the oldest to ride her bike.

Lesson learned, my hands released
You to what must have seemed a flight,
But my pulse and fear increased
As off you went from out of sight.

Go with God! My Babes! My children!
Go with God! But understand,
I'll applaud the lives your buildin'
But it's not a promised land.

Keep in touch with one another,
While I did the best I can,
You've yourselves not any other,
Dear sweet measure of this man.

Our memory I'll savor it,
My own eternal flame,
I never showed a favorite,
I Loved you all the same.

Recently the one most young
Claimed she'd never seen me weep,
Presently my head is hung
And dry eyes I cannot keep.

Go with God my young adults,
Keep your passage in His sight,
In His awesomeness exult,
Then I'll know we taught you right.

I Love you Amanda, Richie, Elizabeth and Allison.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

1 posted 2001-06-17 01:48 PM

Welcome to Pipps Richard, and as I know you, I will just say you are going to be a very valuable addition to the family of fine poets here. I have read, and re-read this several times, and there again, knowing you are all the things a Father should be and more, I wish you welcome and also, Happy Father's Day.

~*~ Remember to tell someone today that you love them as tomorrow may never come ~*~

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

2 posted 2001-06-17 01:56 PM

Welcome to our family! This brought tears to my eyes and I'm sure your children are so proud that you are their dad. Happy Father's Day. Check your email for a special welcome!

RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

3 posted 2001-06-17 03:41 PM

Thank you very much ladies for both showing me the way here and welcoming me so warmly.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

4 posted 2001-06-17 04:58 PM

Had to bring this up front, as not only is today Father's Day, but your letter is a profound message to all that read it, thanks again!

~*~ Remember to tell someone today that you love them as tomorrow may never come ~*~

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

5 posted 2001-06-17 05:23 PM

RSWells~
Welcome to Passions !
I'm sure your children appreciate your thoughts.
Nicely written.

I also am blessed with four wonderful children ... what joy !

I'm sure you'll enjoy the friendship circle at Passions.
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

Mother_Earth
Senior Member

since 2000-11-20

Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan

6 posted 2001-06-17 05:59 PM

RSWells, welcome to PIP's and thank you for sharing such a personal message with us. Your children have a wonderful, loving Father. ME

RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

7 posted 2001-06-17 06:12 PM

Thank you Marge Tindal and Mother_Earth for not only the encouragement on my modest submission but the even higher compliment on my paternity.

Logan
Senior Member

since 2001-05-28

Posts 1641
Arkansas

8 posted 2001-06-17 06:28 PM

Welcome to Passions, very good thoughts to give your children, as a Dad myself, I hear were you are coming from and applaud your words to them, all true..look to see much more of you...Best Wishes..as a relative newcomer myself, this is a great bunch of folks you will associate with...smiles

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

9 posted 2004-12-15 03:15 PM

Yes, these children have a very loving, wonderful father indeed. (in the archives this morning

and reading some friends.)

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

10 posted 2004-12-15 05:10 PM

I am glad you brought this forward, Sharon.
What a wonderful poem, Richard, that I missed the first time around~~

M

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