Thank You for the Memories
© Jim Kent
Winner, Themed Section, 2024 Oracles of the Bush, Tenterfield, NSW.
Thank you for the memories, dad – your lasting legacy,
to see the path, to walk with strength through life’s long odyssey,
the bonds of mateship firmly tied to never come apart,
you gave me hope and courage too, but also gave your heart.
Carried on your shoulders broad and listening to your talk,
shared the saddle of your horse before I learned to walk,
sitting with you on the porch to watch the rising sun,
hearing nature’s message as another day’s begun.
Thank you for the memories, dad – you taught me all you knew,
shared your knowledge of the land, your love of nature true,
to hear the music in the trees when soft the breezes blow,
the symphony of magic from the river’s steady flow.
Camping on the river’s bank, our canopy the sky,
listening to the chatter of the water bubbling by.
Fishing lines on springers set, we always fished that way,
watching in the dancing shadows platypus at play.
Thank you for the memories, dad – remembered well with pride,
the support you gave, the mateship shared, my mentor and my guide
at school and play and sport, you taught me to stand alone,
I shared your dream and you shared mine, decisions though my own.
Playing cricket, teaching me to always watch the ball,
giving up was not the way when off my bike I’d fall.
Showing how to play the game with fortitude and grace,
winning not important, rather how I ran the race.
Thank you for the memories, dad – our days along the track,
in that land of lots of time and rarely looking back,
the road we shared together, faced the challenges of life,
we always sought the rainbow’s end in better times and strife.
Herding stock and mustering, we shared the weary toil,
growing crops of golden grain in natures virgin soil,
facing Fate’s adversities, her arduous demand
proving that together we were always in command.
Thank you for the memories, dad – you’ve earned your lasting rest,
your spirit though remains my guide, my mentor surely bless’t,
You knew the way and shared the way, though hurdles set were high,
we always beat the barriers and passed those hurdles by.
Knowing joys of growing up, your shoulders broad and strong,
making sure the future seen to which I would belong,
sharing mateship never shaken since I was a lad,
lasting visons never fading – thanks for the memories, dad.
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