Thank You For Acting As Sons, Sons Poem by Dennis Ryan

September 16,2002; Monday afternoon, April 15,2019

- for my sons Devin and Shawn

"I love thee best, O most best, believe it."
- William Shakespeare, HAMLET

Thank you for acting as sons, sons;
thank you for your testimony today,
your loyalty, your belief when I needed
them most. I felt proud to be your father—
one of those rare moments when I realized
we had raised you right: to honor the truth
and your family even in troubled times.
And sons, be careful with your hearts
and who you love because people are
twisted shadows, twisted by unspoken hopes
and fears that care nothing for you. I don't know
why such a beautiful world has to be so complicated
and cruel, but I will be present to help you through
all the complications and cruelties as time allows.
Sons, you are a double blessing and a double grace.