Parental Mistakes

My Mother was called Miriam, but mostly just “Mim,”
I didn't know my real Dad, knew nothing, about him.

Ma had a fancy, upon a mad whim,
I was the result of their passion and sin.

I dont blame either for their brief little fling,
for without it, I'd never have known life, and what it can bring.

It was great good luck,
that Ma's hubby Peter, driver of trucks,

saw me when I was born, and knew what she'd done,
but still accepted me, as his natural son.

From nipper to seven he was wonderful to me,
but when I was older, a different man was he.

I'd get his hand on my face or the back of my legs,
nothing stopped the beatings, be it pleadings or begs.

But in my teens that was a different matter,
he'd punch and he'd kick and my blood would spatter.

For quite some time I hated him, and all he represented,
his death I'd secretly plan, where he'd pass unlamented.

It all quietened down as I grew into a man,
I was hardly in trouble and so less in fear of this man.

I also think, his love of me became clear,
He loved to tell stories how he used to “clip my ear.”

As we became closer we became friends at long last,
the hitting and the beatings faded into the past.

At last I had someone to look up to, as all young men should,
I'd help him out financially, whenever I could.

I think of him often, usually after dinner,
because we used to play Dominoes, and let him be the winner.

I stood by his casket, crying as I looked down,
at the little guy in there, a giant of renown.

The pain that was etched in the lines of his face,
had faded and gone, left without a trace.

I miss him a lot and think of him often,
the smile as I remember him, would make my face soften.

I thought I knew all, there was of him to know,
but in reality I knew little, of his life or his woes.

All sons want their Dads to be proud of them, I guess,
whether he was proud of me? Well I think so, and yet?

It must have been terrible for him to look at me,
because I was a constant reminder of Ma's infidelity.

That he loved me at all was a miracle to me,

and showed what a man he was,

and someone I aspire to be.