You were once a Navy man aboard the Newport News,

Sailing to far off lands that i’ll never know.

A poetry man and many story’s of your travels,

They’re all that i have of you, treasures of few.

From Amesbury Massachusetts to California we flew,

You brought us here for a better future.

So hard did you work, a machinist by trade,

Dollars of few, you sacrificed each day.

I remember a vegetable garden we worked on together,

Radishes, peas, and watermelon so sweet.

I sat on the ground as you showed me how to sand wood,

Upon it your medals from a Korean war.

Your talents were many as you gave them to me,

It was you and i building model airplanes, helicopters, and jets.

They hung from my ceiling, from bed i would dream,

Thank you for the love that you shared with me.

Voyage to the bottom of the sea was a show you did like,

Closing your eyes then drifting off to sleep.

Remembering you dear father, a hero to me,

On Friday nights you brought home treats for your family.

You were a good man, struggles like me,

At the end of an October you would cease to be.

Your pain went away, you left me that night,

My pain then started as you went on your heavenly flight.

Remembering you dear father with a thank you,

I am today because of you.

Keith Garrett