Daddy

By, Rich C.

As a child, I called you Daddy.
As I grew up, it became Dad.
You didn’t often (or hardly ever) say, “I love you son.”
Rather, you showed love.
Often, we regret the things not said.
Or, regret the hurtful things sometimes said.
Before you died, you made amends.
You said the things that needed to be said.
You said, “I love you son!”

“Dedicated to my father, Dominic 10/27/1941 – 11/11/2021”

Published in A New Leaf – June 2025