For All Fathers and Sons

                                

Be more than his dad,
Be a chum to the lad;
Be a part of his life
Every hour of the day;
Find time to talk with him
Take time to walk with him,
Share in his studies
And share in his play;
Take him to places,
To ball games and races,
Teach him the things
That you want him to know;
Don't live apart from him,
Don't keep you heart from him
Be his best comrade,
He's needing you so!

Never neglect him,
Though young, still respect him,
Hear his opinions
With patience and pride;
Show him his error,
But be not a terror,
Grim-visaged and fearful,
When he's at your side.

Know what his thoughts are
Know what his sports are,
Know all his playmates,
It's easy to learn to;
Be such a father
That when troubles gather
You'll be the first one
For counsel, he'll turn to.

With courage, and fire him
You can inspire him                          
Hot with ambition
For deeds that are good;
He'll not betray you
Nor illy repay you,
I you have taught him
The things that you should.
Father and son
Must in all things be one --
Partners in trouble
And comrades in joy.
More than a dad
Was the best pal you had;
Be such a chum
As you knew, to your boy.

~Edgar A. Guest

Edgar Guest is to poetry what Norman Rockwell is to art. Simple rhymes and rhythms that capture the miracle of everyday life; the joys, the struggles, the simple truths. This poem is equally encouraging to me as a mother to my son as it was to my husband.