A Poem for Fathers by Ruth Bell Graham

June 15, 2014


William Franklin Graham IV (Will), William Franklin Graham III (Franklin), William Franklin Graham II (Billy)
William Franklin Graham IV (Will), William Franklin Graham III (Franklin), William Franklin Graham II (Billy)

God, Look Who My Daddy Is!

God,
look who my Daddy is!
He is the one
who wore his guardian angel out
(he thought it fun).
First, it was bikes:
he tore around those hills
like something wild,
breaking his bones
in one of many spills;
next, it was cars:
how fast he drove (though well)
only patrolmen
and his guardian angel knew;
the first complained,
the second never tells.
Then it was planes:
that was the closest we
ever got – till now.
I never knew him well
except that he
kept that angelic guardian
on his toes.

Not long ago
You touched him,
and he turned.
Oh, Lord, what grace!
(and how quizzical the look
upon his angel’s face:
a sort of skidding-to-a-stop
to change his pace.)

And now, he just had me:
which only shows
who needs a little angel of his own
to keep him on his toes.
Oh, humorous vengeance!
Recompense – with fun!
I’ll keep him busy, Lord.
Well done! Well done!

from Sitting by My Laughing Fire by Ruth Bell Graham (1977, Word Books)

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