Reading Dad Poem by Smoky Hoss

In your mind
you can still see him there,
though it's been so long ago,
leg rest up high, long legs stretched out in contentment,
his feet hanging over the end,
for no piece of furniture could ever fully contain him.
Reading another book,
his great desire, and you, so small,
would run up, jump in his lap and
giggle with pure delight, and he
would look down, hug you and smile,
speaking the words you wanted to hear,
"I love you".
Right then and there
you knew as surely as
the printed words on the pages
of the books he so tenderly embraced
that you were (and are)
loved.
Not just in the moment
that you could read it
in his face, but
forever;
even when he, like a great novel
was finished, and put upon the shelf of memories.
Now, each time you glance up there
recalling him like a cherished old book,
you remember the words,
you feel again the joy and warmth,
and you smile and read the title:
Dad.