A Father's Prayer

I.


When stars wink and grin against the black sky, I think of you.
When I hear Falstaff’s laugh, I think of you.
When the burgeoning, yellow sunflowers nod in a golden field,
I think of you.

When dancers twirl and bend and flow to a symphony’s brassy song,
When a single violin quivers out a note,
When autumn’s breeze nuzzles my cheek, I think of you.

I think of you
When the dark silhouettes of horses gallop against the horizon;
When I hear, “The LORD is my shepherd”;
When the sweet, tart juice of peaches tingles my tongue;

I think of you,
And pray these be your joy as well.

II.


May your mother's beauty be your own;
May her peaceful, quiet spirit abide when you are grown;
May you be filled with her simple, loving grace,
And may her winsome, gentle smile charm you little face.