happy 65th dad

Happy birthday to my bestman (in every sense of that word) – my dad. 

Ben CS Friesen

When I Grow Up

by dwight friesen

When I grow up and get to be a writer

I’m going to write a poem about my dad

And I’ll tell of strong arms and a short carriage

And an insatiable appetite for chocolate cake and ice cream

And the way he kissed my mom with a loud smacking sound

And the safety of his hugs

And the way we prayed with me nightly

And the time I saw him cry

When I get to be a writer

I’m going to write about my dad

And the nail clipper that never left his side

And his tact

And his deep respect for his father

And an enduring entrepreneurial spirit

And his big farm-boy hands

And a genuine love for God

And a rock steady character

And his spitting out the car door at traffic lights

And his joy in giving to others

When I get to be a poet

I’m going to write about my dad.

Love you dad,

dwight

NOTE: The inspiration for this poetic structure came from the great Langston Hughes’ and his glorious poem, Daybreak in Alabama.