My Father Taught Me Poem by John Carter Brown

My Father taught me how to make a slip-knot
it took a little while I must confess;
my empty brain just couldn't really grasp it
deficient in grey-matter, my best guess.

But bye and bye I got there, with persistence
then wanted more to learn from my old Dad;
another knot (a reef one) was my challenge
again he found it hard, this little lad.

Then father taught me how to tie shoe-laces
oh boy, it took me weeks, my brain went numb;
I must have tried a million permutations
and nearly tied one finger to my thumb!
And then he taught me how to ride a cycle 165
I can't recall how many times I fell;
but pedestrians were in a lot of danger
despite the fact I had a working bell.

My father taught me these few things, and much more,
including how to make a paper-plane;
but he couldn't teach me how to live without him
and I just wish that he could teach me things again.

So father, if you're up there teaching others,
and I know for certain that you surely can;
thanks for all your love and free tuition
and for teaching me, your son, to be a man.

(Written Dec 2021)