Thanks goes to my father
Without him we'd be lost
He gave his life to all of us
A family came with cost

When I was but two years old
He went to MIT
But he had to leave that school
My mom was sick, you see

He had to work much harder
For everything we owned
He saved and scraped and gave himself
So we could have a home

When he was but a little boy
He had to walk to school
During Vermont winters
Which were harsh and cruel

He was tested for IQ
When he was in 8th grade
His scores were highest in the state
So building blocks were laid

For his education
Was paramount to him
He walked twelve miles to high school
Through snow and sleet and rain

He was radar technician
During WWII
He was in Okinawa
A sailor tried-and-true

So our education
He worked for night and day
We all went to private schools
Because he got good pay

We never knew how hard he worked
He rose at 5 a.m.
That we'd have food and shelter
And could be schooled for gain

Both my parents read to us
And gave us the Great Books
We were raised on Dickens
Chaucer and the like

He gave us piano lessons
We knew Beethoven and Bach
Mozart and Vivaldi
And he taught us how to talk

All of my abilities
I owe to that man
And of course my dear Mother
Who schooled us through great pain

So here's to some great parents
Married still it seems
Over 60 years together
I owe to them my genes

I just want to thank them
My dear old dad this day
You worked so hard to school us
So we could find a way

I love you Clinton Jarvis
You made me strong and bold
A dedicated father

At 91 years old!


SoulSurvivor
(C) 6/18/2016