If Not For My Father…

I

If not for my father…
Would I have learned
To catch with my first glove
Teaching me ’bout baseball

If not for my father…
Would I have learned
To throw a perfect spiral
Teaching me about football

If not for my father…
Would I have learned
About early bird and worm
Teaching me about fishing

If not for my father…
Would I have learned
About house and canvas painting
Teaching me practical art

If not for my father…
Would I have learned
To turn the other cheek
Winning adversity

If not for my father…
Would I have learned
About prevalent prejudice
And existing inequality

II

I feel your spirit guiding…
Your eyes…when catching curve balls
Your hands…on the spiral of life
Your ears…when listening attentively
Your nose…when smelling trouble
Your mouth…when tasting victory
Your heart…when sensing all that is good

Richard Wlodarski November 2015