He had Never Cried Like this Before

As a little boy he was taught
to hide those tears away;
toughen up and be a man
'cuz real men don't act that way.

With a gentle side and a bit shy too,
he didn't like to fight at all.
His dad would get the boxing gloves,
and engage them in a brawl.

He tried his best to be the boy,
he thought his daddy wished for;
Threw punches back and forth,
Until alas he'd hit the floor.

Get back up with a bloody nose,
and tears held back real tight.
He wanted to be close to his dad,
but he didn't really like to fight.

Years flew by and this same boy
toughened up in his own skin.
He traveled a bit of a rough road,
lessons to learn, places he's been.

Made it through to the other side,
rough and tough much like his Dad.
The Cats in the Cradle was their song,
but with their own memories to be had.

The years were hard and took their toll,
leaving Dads body weathered and old.
His boy next door watched this man,
aging quickly yet still strong and bold.

Many years before his time,
His dear Dads health started to fade.
He'd had a very tough life,
There were dues that he had paid.

The time came and dad began
to fade beyond all hopes of return.
His poor body was tired and weak,
and his soul was tired in turn.

The day came the boy saw his dad,
ask for peace and fade away.
Then one early Monday morning,
he took his last breath on Earth that day.

The memorial day was met with sun,
beautiful blue with clouds in the sky.
And at the service he held his daughter,
as tears for her Grandpa fell from her eyes.

This boy so tough and now a dad,
was overcome by his little girls tears.
He hadn't expected it to take him over,
but he felt tears for the first time in years.

He held his baby girl as she cried,
comforting her in every way.
He knew his Dad was finally at peace,
no more pain for him today.

Looking back his Dad had taught him,
everything he needed to know.
Strength, love and determination,
and the will to learn and grow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inspired by my Dad (07-1950 ~ 07-2009)
And my brother John and my niece Jade
At my dads memorial on 08-01-2009