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.

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

Good Lesson For All: Revolutionary Blogging Haiku

An adm’rals daughter,/
she still slept ‘neath bridges ’til/
she got herself straight.

Nike Rags Footware Honor: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Haiku

Some former football player (under contract to a shoe manufacturer) said that the “Betsy Ross” flag was offensive, so Nike removed shoes with the flag from their lineup. This is my response:
Nike’s new footware/
should be torn and blood-stained rags,/
like at Valley Forge.

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!“

Fill In Life’s Gaps With What? Revolutionary Blogging Iambic Verse

You may,
on the daily,
learn what He wants you
to do.

You may
obey
His call,
but that’s all.

Then what?
Do you sit on your butt?
Do you fill in your life’s gaps
with mindless crap?

I could delight
and write.
Creation
might bring my soul elation.

Or do I waste time
doing things less sublime?
Creating my inner “duuuuuhhhh”
with social media?

Or watch sports,
or comedy shorts,
or other junk to see
on TV?

When I do nichts
it makes my heart sick.
When I create
my soul feels great!

So why
don’t I
at least try?

Fill In The Gaps Despair: Revolutionary Blogging Haiku

You do what you should./
Then what? Do you stretch yourself?/
Or fill gaps with fluff?

Seeing Me As I And I Do: Revolutionary Blogging Free Verse Poem

To have what you believe
About you
Validated,
Verified,
Affirmed
And applauded;

To be told that what you think
God thinks
About you
Is correct,
True,
Right,
And fantastic;

To be substantiated
By others
Who see you
From different views,
And perspectives,
And elevations,
And like what they see;

To have your vision
Of you
And His vision
For you
Confirmed
By those who believe
Instead of debated
And denied
By unbelievers
Who can’t (or won’t) see
What He knows you are;

To have your group,
Your posse,
Your tribe,
Your true friends
Support,
Believe,
Honor,
Respect,
And sustain
YOUR (and His) truth about you:

This is a good thing.

Finding Healing Waters: Revolutionary IMprov Haiku

When the world just gets/
too much, it may be time to/
find healing waters.

Facebook News Waste: Revolutionary ImproVerse Haiku Lament

I waste so much time/
on Facebook, but how else would/
I ever learn news?