Poems and reflections on Father’s Day

In the Catholic tradition, going back to the Middle Ages, the celebration honoring fathers and fatherhood is on March 19, the feast of St. Joseph’s. However, most countries in the world now, including the Philippines, have adopted the American practice of celebrating Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. The story is that the celebration started in the early 20th century, after several failed attempts. Its early advocates were motivated by a desire to celebrate fathers to complement Mothers’ Day which naturally came first. 

As a proud father of two daughters – Tanya and Aina,  and  one son – Roel, I definitely agree that fatherhood deserves to have a day of celebration. I thought it would be fitting to share with my readers a couple of fathers’ poems and reflections to mark this occasion.

Mahfooz Ali from India graduated with an M.A. in Economics and took postgraduate courses in journalism and mass communications. He is a prolific writer of essays, poems short stories and haikus. 

Thank You Father by Mahfooz Ali

“Fathers hold you when you have bad dreams

And they comfort you when all is lost it seems

Fathers teach you to dribble a basketball and shoot a free throw

And they lead you as you grow

Fathers teach you how to drive a car

And they teach you how to putt for par

Fathers wipe the tears of your broken hearts

And they hold your hand when you don’t know how to start

Fathers quiz the boy who take you on a DATE

And They  scold those boys who bring you home late

Fathers carry you on their shoulders when you’re too small to see

And they watch as you giggle when they bounce you on their knee

Fathers extend their feet to you when they teach you how to dance

And they always give you a second chance

Fathers wait in the wings while you start your own life

And they pray for a husband to make you a wife

Fathers walk you down on your wedding day

But fathers never really give their little girls away.”

Father by Edgar Guest

Here is a humorous poem about fathers and mothers that has more than a kernel of truth.

“My father knows the proper way

The nation should be run

He tells us children every day

Just what now should be done

He knows the ways to fix the trusts

He has a simple plan

But if the furnace needs repair

We have to hire a man.

My father, in a day or two

Could land big thieves in jail

There’s nothing that he cannot do

He knows no words like “fail”

“Our confidence” he would restore

Of that there is no doubt

But if there is a chair to mend

We have to send it out

It always makes him sick to read

The things lawmakers say;

Why, father’s just the man they need All wars he’d quickly end.

As far as I can write it;

But when a neighbour starts a fuss,

Tis my mother has to fight it.

In conversations father can 

Do many wondrous things;

He’s built upon a wiser plan,

Than presidents or kings.

He knows the ins and outs of each. 

And every deep transaction; 

We look to him for theories,

But look to ma for action.”

Pope Francis: Happiness In This Life

This book is a collection of homilies, speeches and “messages of the day” that bring together Pope Francis’s wisdom on finding happiness in the here and now. There are several themes in the book. One section is a collection of Pope Francis’s messages on The Family Life’s Bounty which I believe would be great reflections for all fathers today. Here are some of his messages.

Does your family still dream?

I am very fond of dreams in families. For nine months, every mother and father dream about their baby. Am I right? They dream about what kind of child he or she will be...You can’t have a family without a dream. When a family loses the ability to dream, children do not grow, love does not grow, life is stifled and shrivelled. So I recommend that each evening when you examine your conscience, you ask yourselves this question. Did I dream about my children’s future today? Did I dream about the love of my husband or wife today? Today I dreamed about my parents and my grandparents who came before me. Dreaming is very important. Especially dreaming in families. Don’t lose your ability to dream.

The importance of walking hand in hand

Sometimes I think about marriages that end after many years. “We didn’t understand each other anymore...we drifted apart.” Maybe they couldn’t apologize to each other. Maybe they didn’t know how to forgive. I always give this advice to newlyweds.” Argue as much as you like. Let plates fly. But never end the day without making up.” Never! If married can learn to say: “I’m sorry I was tired.” Or make a little gesture, that counts as peace. Then you carry on with life in the morning. This is a beautiful secret, and it prevents those painful separations. It is so important to walk together hand in hand without running ahead, without looking back at the past. And while you walk  you chat, you get to know each other, you reveal yourselves to each other, you grow as a family. So ask yourselves, how are we walking?

Today, on this day, let us remember that any man can father a child; but it takes someone special to be a father. Happy Fathers’ Day!

Creative writing classes for kids/teens and adults

Young Writers’ Hangout on June 23, July 7 and 21, August 4 and 18 (1:30 pm-3 pm; stand-alone sessions). Online Writing for Adults with Tarie Sabido on June 30 (1:30 pm-4:30 pm).  All classes at Fully Booked BGC. For details and registration contact 0945-2273216 or [email protected].

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Email: [email protected].