Father's Day: Ode to fathers

After savoring fathers' love and wisdom in ancient Chinese poems, let's appreciate a western one, written by a child in honor of his father who adjusted the mixture of discipline and freedom when was growing up.

Before I Was Myself, You Made Me, Me
                                Author unknown

Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.
Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.
Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

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Have you been inspired to think of other poetic lines in praise of father after reading these poems? What do you think is the best way to express love to your father on this special day? Share with us in the comment section. We will select up to 5 lucky readers and send each of them a limited edition gift.