You Might Not Remember, But I Was There — ImproVerse Free Verse Birthday Letter

Good morning, my first born.
I know it’s early,
just like it was years ago,
but I wanted to let you know that I am here.
Just like I was there then.

Your mother had worked so hard,
and it was painful,
and she was exhausted.
So she smiled tenderly at you,
said “Hello, little one!”,
and held you awhile.

Then she handed you to me,
and she drifted off to sleep,
to get much-needed rest.

How I loved you!
How glad I am that I had the chance
that few fathers have.
I got to hold you for a while,
right after you were born.
I was there.

That seems to be the way it was,
wasn’t it, for years?
I was there.
No Harry Chapin song
(Cat’s in the Cradle)
applied.

Because of the work I chose,
I was there
when you caught your first football
at six months old
in the Johnny Jump-up.

I was there for your first day of school,
and your first church talk,
and your first overnight camping trip.
And when you stole home with the go-ahead run
in the championship Kirkland National Little League game,
I was there as your third base coach.

I was there
for your soccer games,
and your rocket reports,
and your problems,
and your triumphs,
and your blessings,
and your first fish,
and your first dance,
and your first car,
and your Eagle Scout award,
(and all that led up to it!),
and your graduations,
and your first trip to college,
and on
and on
and on.
I was there,
always so proud of you.
I still am.

Now you’re a father yourself!
You’re far away.
And it may not seem like I am there,
but you are always in my thoughts
and my prayers.
Just as you’ve always been,
and always will be.

And I always want to be there,
if not with you,
then at least for you.
Happy birthday, Itty Bitty Kristian!
I love you.
Love, Dad.

Why Argue With God? ImproVerse Haiku

Why do I argue/
with God? I should trust Him. He’s/
always got my back.

Isn’t The Answer Obvious? Revolutionary ImproVerse Haiku

Why is Hillary/
irrelevant in U.S.
politics? She lost.

Joyful Jalapeno Burn: Haiku

What exquisite joys/
summer brings: Fresh tomatoes,/
jalapeno burn!

Do As You’re Told Leg Rot – ImproVerse Free Verse Lament

I did
as I was told.
I went
to the ER.
I saw
doctors, nurses, NPs.

I filled out
all the forms
as I was told.

I waited
on insurance.
Now I’m watching
my leg rot off.

What To Do When You’re Done Doing? – ImproVerse Haiku Lament

What should I do when/
there’s no more to do and no/
way to do something?

Etude For A Cool Georgia Summer Evening: My First Haibu

Click to read my first haibu and see my wife’s improvisational piece

On Being “Woke” – ImproVerse Political Rhyming Haiku

If you have to say,/
In a self-right way, you’re “woke”,/
Then you’re still dreaming.

As She Creates Music Theraputic: Revolutionary ImproVerse Rhyming Haiku

The music which flows/
from her soul knows* what her mind/
can’t articulate.

OR
*shows

My Son, His Dog, Our Sorrow: Revolutionary ImproVerse Laments

My oldest son had to have his feisty little rescue dog, Veruca, put down today. He said “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” As a Dad (who also loved and appreciated her), I’ve had a surprising amount of sorrow. (Even now, it’s hard to post through all my tears). These poems reflect my feelings.

Why No Dogs
My son,
now a dad,
has to put down
his good old dog today.

Now I understand
why I,
as a dad,
never wanted to have dogs
when my kids were growing up.

Saying goodbye
is just
too damn hard.
=========

Dog Gone Hidden Crying

If I go take a/
shower no one can see the/
sad tears I’m crying.
=========

I’m Proud of You, Son

We all can avoid/
doing what we should./
It takes a real man/
to do the hard things.

Or, in haiku form:
We can all avoid/
doing what we should. Only/
real men do hard things.
=========

Not What I’d Wish For Any Dog
His dog was put down./
All said: “Rest” In Peace, but that’s/
not what I’d wish. “RUN!“