Pop's Father's Day Gift

Because of how underrated
This day is
Because of how criticized
This day is

I was gonna write a poem
about deadbeats
about the “no-call, no-shows”

This poem was going to be
a dedication to mothers
acting as fathers

It was going to be
a depiction of life
without Pop

I started it….
But I immediately stopped

I couldn’t relate

I have a “Pop”
A Dad
A Father
More than just a figure
Pop has been around
for the full 25 years of my existence
as well as the 20 years
of my sibling’s

I must admit
it wasn’t always
happy times
All three of us
have become
butting-head bighorns
at some point
But despite our differences

Pop was here

At least he was here
for me to argue with

This piece is not a brag or boast
It’s a toast

To the man who taught me how to fight
How to treat women with respect
How to read people
How to swing my elbows, ball secured,
after coming down from a rebound

To the man that genetically showed
my brother how to play the drums
To the man that’s the main reason
I have a sick & sometimes corny
sense of humor
To the man who loves and tenderly
takes care of the woman
who birthed me

Thank you

Thank you for being the standard
that should be held by
all men
who need to be
want to be
or already are
Fathers

I hope to be ¾ the father you are

Maybe then my son or daughter
will write a poem
for me too.