Thirty-six years ago

For my husband who will always hold my heart.

Thirty-six years ago

I know thirty-six years ago

I was young and naive

I didn’t understand the world

And it didn’t understand me

Then I met you

And the world opened up

It wasn't such a scary place

With you by my side

I knew I’d found the person

The other half of me

That I needed just to breathe

So of course I didn’t let you go

I married you for

My dreams were home and family

In you I’ve found them both

I’ve even found the dreams

I tucked away from sight

For fear I’d be laughed at

But even those have been made right

For you’ve given me the confidence

To be myself

You’ve shown me true partnership

As you supported me

Through thick and thin

You made me see

What true love is

What a supportive partner can do

To make you feel alive and real

Someone who matters

As much as you

I love you my dear

May we have many more

Anniversaries in sight

Happy Anniversary Ken

©Sheilagh Lee  June 23, 2015

Dad

            DAD

You always worked hard to find

Any job, any trade

Amazing how you could adapt

To journeyman, chemical engineer, bricklayer     

Longshoreman, garbage man, security guard

You worked hard to provide

How lucky we were to have you

I remember the leisure you had

You spent with us

I recall a fishing pole

Holding a  hammer

Riding a new bike

Your tax return earned

You smiling at me

Across a table

As you sat in chair

Puffing away and talking

The talk of history

The battles and war

Alexander the great

To Rommel and more

The stories of Irish lore

Then the singing to Celtic records

Your favourite ‘Black velvet Band’

Because it reminded you of mom

You loved the great outdoors

And camping at Oastler Lake

The deep dark water

With lots of sunfish there

St. Mary’s where the picnics

Followed the fishing

The trip across the prairies to B.C.

When we were young

How you and mom survived it

I still don’t know

Four kids, dog and cat

On very little funds

To help out your family

Get a new job

How we miss you

But we know

You’re happy with mom

In heaven above

So just know you have our love

Happy Father's Day

©Sheilagh Lee  June 21, 2015