Old Father Time

He was not an easy man

not comfortable in his skin.

Harsh his upbringing

held to account at a tender age 

by a father bit to keen with his hands

Taught him well and fast 

That grammar was the only option 

To secure future, present, and past 

The strong will conquer the meek

The father will master the child 

Whilst you stood there in vestments of black and white 

Contours carved by your fathers hand

With God declared Christian might you spoke

Spare the rod spoil the child 

That mantra you had been taught

but doubted all the while.

Thirty years it took us

to break what had been iron will forged 

To laugh 

To kiss

To embrace 

Thirty years it took us

To belong

Thirty years for me say to say, 

My dearest father, 

I have loved you all along.