0MY father was a farmer upon the Carrick border, O,
And carefully he bred me in decency and order, O;
He bade me act a manly part, though I had ne’er a farthing, O;
For without an honest manly heart, no man was worth regarding, O.
Then out into the world my course I did determine, O;
Tho’ to be rich was not my wish, yet to be great was charming, O;
My talents they were not the worst, nor yet my education, O:
Resolv’d was I at least to try to mend my situation, O.
In many a way, and vain essay, I courted Fortune’s favour, O;
Some cause unseen still stept between, to frustrate each endeavour, O;
Sometimes by foes I was o’erpower’d, sometimes by friends forsaken, O;
And when my hope was at the top, I still was worst mistaken, O.
Then sore harass’d and tir’d at last, with Fortune’s vain delusion, O,
I dropt my schemes, like idle dreams, and came to this conclusion, O;
The past was bad, and the future hid, its good or ill untried, O;
But the present hour was in my pow’r, and so I would enjoy it, O.
No help, nor hope, nor view had I, nor person to befriend me, O;
So I must toil, and sweat, and moil, and labour to sustain me, O;
To plough and sow, to reap and mow, my father bred me early, O;
For one, he said, to labour bred, was a match for Fortune fairly, O.
Thus all obscure, unknown, and poor, thro’ life I’m doom’d to wander, O,
Till down my weary bones I lay in everlasting slumber, O:
No view nor care, but shun whate’er might breed me pain or sorrow, O;
I live to-day as well’s I may, regardless of to-morrow, O.
But cheerful still, I am as well as a monarch in his palace, O,
Tho’ Fortune’s frown still hunts me down, with all her wonted malice, O:
I make indeed my daily bread, but ne’er can make it farther, O:
But as daily bread is all I need, I do not much regard her, O.
When sometimes by my labour, I earn a little money, O,
Some unforeseen misfortune comes gen’rally upon me, O;
Mischance, mistake, or by neglect, or my goodnatur’d folly, O:
But come what will, I’ve sworn it still, I’ll ne’er be melancholy, O.
All you who follow wealth and power with unremitting ardour, O,
The more in this you look for bliss, you leave your view the farther, O:
Had you the wealth Potosi boasts, or nations to adore you, O,
A cheerful honest-hearted clown I will prefer before you, O.
This poem was written/submitted by Robert Burns.
0 ONE DAY A TEAR DROP WILL FALL FROM THE SKY
AND ON THAT DAY, OUT OF JOY, I WILL CRY
WITHIN MY ARMS I’LL HOLD YOU TIGHT
AND AS YOU OPEN YOUR EYES TO ME YOU’LL KNOW EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT
ONE DAY I WILL PLANT MY SEED
AND WATCH YOU GROW INTO THIS LOVE THAT I NEED
I’LL COME HOME FROM WORK AND PUT YOUR LITTLE PALM IN MINE
WE’LL GO FOR WALKS, TALK, ENJOY LIFE, AND FORGET ABOUT TIME
PUT YOUR LITTLE PALM IN MY MASSIVE HAND
I’LL TEACH YOU THE WAYS OF LIFE SO THA YOU’LL UNDERSTAND
WHEN YOUR SICK AND I’VE GOT SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
IT’LL BE SUCH A GORGEOUS SIGHT TO SEE YOU SLEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
WHEN WE COME HOME FROM OUR WALKS IN THE PARK
AND YOUR MOMS COMPLAINING ABOUT HER STRETCH MARKS
WE’LL SMOHTER HER WITH HUGS AND KISSESAND SAY SHE’S STILL BEAUTIFUL, SO BEAUTIFUL TONIGHT
SO PUT YOUR LITTLE PALM IN MINE AND ENJOY THE NIGHT
YOUR LOVE FROM ME IS WORTH MORE THAN GOLD
AND IT WILLCONTINUE TO GROW AS YOU GET OLD
LIKE THE CATS IN THE CRADLE AND THE SILVER SPOON WE’LL STAY OUT TOGETHER AND WATCH THE MOON
TUCK YOU IN BEFORE YOU GO TO BED
BUTTERFLY KISSES UPON YOUR FOREHEAD
NEVER MISS A DANCE RECITAL OR LITTLE LEAGUE GAME AND EVEN IF I DID I’D LOVE YOU ALL THE SAME
SO PUT YOUR LITTLE PALM IN MINE AND COME WALK WITH ME
MY HAPPINESS YOU’LL SURE SEE
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU’LL WANT TO CELBRATE
THE DAY AFTER YOU FINALLY GRADUATE
I’LL PROVIDE THE ALCOHOL BUT ONLY BEFORE EIGHT
AND AS LONG AS FRIENDS BE SURE TO DESIGNATE
AND IF YOUR PROM DOESN’T GO AS PLANNED
PUT YOUR LITTLE PALM IN MY HAND
I’LL LOCK AWAY MY HEART AND GIVE YOU THE KEY
AS LONG AS YOU SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME
SO PUT YOUR LITTLE PALM IN THE CENTER OF MY HAND
AND ONE DAY YOUR FATHER YOU’LL UNDERSTAND
YOU’LL MOVE OUT OF MY HOME
AND HAVE KIDS OF YOUR OWN
AND ALL THE THINGS I WILL HAVE DONE YOU’LL UNDERSTAND
ONE DAY WHEN YOU KIDS PUT THEIR LITTLE PALMS IN THE CENTER OF YOUR HAND
This poem was written/submitted by a.k.a. Daimon A. Koivisto.
0 I wonder what you’re doing
and how your living life
what new things did you learn today
and how did you sleep last night
did you feel raindrops on your face
or sunshine in your eye
of all the questions left uknown
the biggest one is why
why can’t we be together
why can’t I watch you grow
why can’t I guide you through this world
this I just don’t know
but I promise we’ll be together
no matter how long it seems
just know your always in my heart
and always in my dreams
This poem was written/submitted by Garrett W. Wheeler.
0 I never even knew you
but deep inside I knew
you were out there waiting
for me to find you
days and months past
years flew by too
till that day
I finally found you
the grass was so green
the dirt so rich
there stood your headstone
with your name engraved in it
I couldn’t believe
to my surprise
you lay to rest
oh dear, oh my!!
my father so dear
I’m too late
God has taken you
to heaven above
I cried so softly
for my dad I never knew
oh why oh why
please tell me what to do
so many questions not answered
the things wanted to say
please God tell me
why did you take my daddy away
This poem was written/submitted by Brandy poole.
0 I do not see you often, but
I see you every day.
I’ve taken you along with me
As I have grown away.
We talk about the things that fill
A life with love and pain,
But our timeless golden time,
Unspoken, still remains.
You will always be my dad,
And I, your darling daughter.
The days may turn like waterwheels,
But that will never change.
The thought of you will make me glad
No matter where I wander.
You are the place that cannot feel
Uncanny, dark, or strange.
This poem was written/submitted by Nicholas Gordon.
0 I know that I’m not perfect, and I’m sure you know that to,
But it means the world to know, that I can always talk to you…
I am sure you didn’t expect all this, when you took me in to stay…
But you still loved me enough, that you did it anyway.
You always seemed so calm, when deep down you were so scared,
And no matter how serious it was, you always seemed prepared.
I know I’m lucky to have you here, after all that you’ve been through,
And no matter what just happened, I can always say I love you…
You always can forgive me, even when times get bad,
And I’ll love you until the day I die, because you are my miracle dad!
This poem was written/submitted by Crystal M. Deprey.
0 His hands are callused and worn.
He works hard from sun up to sun down.
And at the end of his toilsome day,
A smile on his face is found.
All the sweat that beads on his brow,
Each drop that runs down his face.
He has made it through another day,
By God’s amazing grace.
He comes home to his family,
At the end of his wearied day.
And as they gather around the table,
He bows his head and prays.
“Thank you Lord for this day,
And all the blessing set before me.
Thank you for my wife and my children,
And for another day as a family.
For the strength to make each day,
To work, to sweat and to bleed,
And for Your amazing grace,
Helping me provide for my family.”
He lifts his head with an amen,
Looks at his family gathered around.
And as they settle in for the night,
A smile on his face is found.
This poem was written/submitted by Kay Foskey Ricks.
