From the first time that I remember,
'til I penned this ode in September,
I never called him Chips (though many others did) --
Dad was always the name I used ever since I was a kid.
Separated were our ages by two score years and more.
In fact, when I was born -- he was fourty four.
He taught me to be interested in many many things,
for therein lies the essence of life -- with the joy that it brings,
(such as) trains, boats, music, science, photography, sports, and art to start,
... and then he'd tell me to pull his finger when he had to ****.
I learned from him respect for others, and to be clever;
and whether or not I received what I ought
I should always appreciate all kinds of weather.
Speaking of which, we'd lie side by side watching the nighttime sky
for lightning, bats, and satellites, and other things that fly by.
Chante et pleure - I sing and cry as I lie beneath the stars
and consider the physics of light, and matters of matter like Mars.
I'll never forget clutching a tree by a flooded Brandywine River
pleading and quaking in my shoes, in the throes of mortal terror
mortified as I watched my dad standing by the rushing drink --
-- ... taking pictures and movies, I think.
Family and friends mattered much to dad,
and keen was his memory of facts he had.
He was serious and fun; and I loved him a ton.
He'd pull a bully aside and tell him to go fish.
And I wish he was still here to correct my English.
So Chips, I would not even be here, I see
without you and mom both growing me,
and I'm grateful 'cause I'm sure that must'a took alot of energy.
I never told you there once was a time when somehow I felt like you;
and now that you have joined the cosmos, I'm sure that that feeling is true.  Occasionally, I am swept away by the tide of work and rhyme
but knowing you helps me stay afloat, and focus each snapshot in time.