Semper Fi

In memory of Sidney H. Hilliard, Jr., Capt., USMC, ret.
October 4, 1918 - August 14, 2010
My father

I wrote this in 1987 and gave it to my father for Father's Day.
It is not good poetry, but the sentiment is sincere, and he was touched by the poem.


For Daddy

This is my father,
tall and straight and strong,
who sheltered me like a spreading tree
when I was very young;
who held my hand on moonlit nights
as we walked beneath the palms,
and tucked me in his raincoat
away from jungle storms.

This is my father,
an accomplished man,
who built my bike and playhouse
with loving, able hands;
who read me poems and sang to me
old songs of sweet romance,
who gave me books and tender looks
and taught me how to dance.

And this is my father,
the proud Marine,
who fought in war to keep me free,
the model of the macho man
that others dream to be:
tough and dashing, brave and bold,
in the air, on land, and sea.

And yet this is my father,
this macho Marine,
who dandles his grandbaby on his knee,
who strokes silky skin with rare delight,
who grabs and tickles and pretends to bite.

This is my father,
who on his chest wears eagle's wings,
who with his heart
pulls my heartstrings,
this is my father,
my hawk and my dove,
this is my father,
who taught me how to love.