Special
Dear Dad…
Dear Dad…
This is a new song that I wrote for my father. He died of cancer 15 years ago, just as we were beginning to be friends. Thanks for the opportunity to share.
“A Man Ain’t Supposed To Cry”
When I
was young I always wanted to put my arms around you. There were many times
when I tried to – but you didn’t know just what to do.
‘Cause you were always taught that a man ain’t supposed to cry
and you were always taught how to keep your feelings deep inside. You
were always taught that a man ain’t supposed to cry.
When I was young I was a girly boy. I was always playin with girly toys.
Where that impulse came from I’ll never know. You caught me one day
in my Mamma’s clothes. What else could you do but get mad? I was
the only boy you ever had. How were you gonna teach me to be a man?
‘Cause you were always taught that a man ain’t supposed to cry-and
you were always taught how to keep your feelings deep inside. You were
always taught that a man ain’t supposed to cry.
I remember the last day I saw you. You were much to confused to respond
to the love you knew I had for you that’s why every day now I carry
you as a sparkle in my eye when I see a man that looks like you. Laughter
in my voice when I hear someone that sounds like you. Tears in my eyes
when I see your smiling face in my mind. You were always taught that a
man ain’t supposed to cry. You were always taught how to keep your
feelings deep inside. You were always taught that a man ain’t supposed
to cry.
–
Yolanda
Your little boy never died.
I saw him
when you played with me,
I saw him when you smiled.
I saw him when you laughed with me,
I saw him when you cried.
Your little
boy never died, my dad;
For that, I’m always glad.
And now that you have died, my dad,
I find it rather sad.
–
Anonymous, for RTF
My father, Harold Smith, was not always my best friend. When I was young and bullheaded, my father and I argued constantly, but now that I’m old and bullheaded, we talk almost every day and seldom disagree. Through the years, my polite British father has taught this angry young gay American the virtues of patience, negotiation and compromise without once ever telling me not to pursue the things I found important. My father has supported and shared my dreams and victories, and he has been there to prop me back up after my many defeats. And whenever I’ve been ready to pack it in, it’s my Dad who always urges me on. I’d be nowhere without him.
– Andrew Smith
Chin Ho!