written in fall 1970
Often I have wondered what is love Real love, total love, selfless love I have searched fruitlessly… So I asked the Theologian Who spoke of abstracts and generalities to the point of boredom Unsatisfied I asked the Philosopher Who spoke of grand plans and wonderful ideas till my head ached badly Bewildered I asked my friends and cherished ones Their mere presence came close to satisfaction Yet I knew that in my love for them hid a shadow of selfishness And just before I dismissed the whole idea as hopeless I asked God And he sent me a son And I am satisfied
written in spring 1988
He sits and computes frantically On this beautiful Tuesday morning A handsome young man When he looks up he sees me smile He does not understand the smile Maybe someday he will As he works I ponder his future A future that was for so long in my hands I realize suddenly that my influence is almost over No longer is he a child With those child’s problems That I so eagerly longed to share Soon he will be gone He will still be son and I dad But the world will be his to explore…alone They all compute frantically On this beautiful Tuesday morning These beautiful young men and women How they have grown…much too quickly They will always be my children And how I love them so