Dads, Lads, And Granddads Poem by David Whalen

Lads, Dads, and Granddads Free verse

My grandson,
skipping along, an eight year young kid
Behind his Dad, his hero, his idol,
his bright shining model
Sees him tall, straight, tough and confident
Sees a McMuffin buyer, a baseball coach and a dad

My grandson
sees not…. a loser, a slacker
Mostly absentee father,
lazy and irresponsible
Two days a week of being a dad
Providing little or nothing to ex-wife or son

My grandson,
I see in myself, skipping along
Following behind my dad
Who is tall, straight and confident
Giving me comfort, making me feel strong

My Dad
Taught me fishing and hunting
Not to lie, to attempt all manly things
and try not to fail or fall
he feared absolutely nothing and
could absolutely do it all

My Dad
was brave and made me proud
I skipped along behind him as well,
My bright shining model
Embarrassed by him? Never!
Proud of him always and ever

My Dad,
To others, a different man perhaps, than the man I knew.
likely so….Yes, most probably so

My grandson
in his memories I hope, forever sees
his dad, not as he really was,
but In the same way that I see mine.
Perfect! ….Yes, most probably so.