My Whole World Poem by JAMES T. ADAIR

The most precious moments of my life
were when you were just a young girl
I used to read you stories as you sat
nestled next to me like my little pal

I loved to read the stories and my voice aloud
you listened so intently and with such wonder
that I forgot my worries and floated on a cloud
I'd turn the page back there now if I could

We read of Secret Gardens, and of Raggedy Ann
and Pirate Ships and of many other things we told
and we adventured together, just me and my little girl
did I ever tell you that you were my whole world

I used to travel in the early morning, woke at 5 AM
Traveled from Pennsylvania to NY City, each day
Just to turn around and come back home again at 5 PM
But it seemed worth it at the time to read you a story or rhyme

Those were my most precious moment, my most precious time
and when it came time and we finished a chapter or two
oftentimes you were drowsey and I carried first your brother and then you
and tucked you both into bed, two little angles in my mind

I carefully pulled up the sheets, right under your chin
and kissed you goodnight and kissed you on the head
and said 'Sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite'
or sung you a lullaby like 'Rock-a-by-baby' after turning out the light

And later as I would get dead tired and dread the next day
I'd stop back again to check on you both and make sure you were safe
you used to be congested and he used to breath so clear
and I used to worry about that and have a little fear

But when I watched you breathing I felt like a millionaire
just to be your dad and to be blessed to have you there
you with your chestnut hair and blue eyes, my little girl
did I ever tell you that you were my whole world

But castles made of sand are bound to fall
And fathers and daughters, once so close, you've forgotten all
but I still remember when you made me feel so tall
When I was still something to you, when you were small

Life was better then, though it felt so hard at the time
I'm at least glad I took the time, because it quickly slipped away
and then it seems everything that mattered somehow went astray
But I still remember those simple nights, as if they were yesterday


© James T. Adair