MY WIFE'S DAD

MY WIFE'S DAD

Roger A. Davis

This poem is about Carl, my father-in-law
He is a lot more to me than my wife's pa
When Jo and I started to date
He always treated me as first rate

As a teenager I often lacked common sense
But he used no Bunkerisms like meathead or dense
Here was a person courting his most prized possession
Carl looked past my weaknesses and showed no rejection

One incident was crushing the hood of his wheat truck
Forgetting to turn off the hydraulic lift because of a kiss snuck
Also getting stuck in their driveway during a snowstorm
My adolescent behavior was way out of the norm

Yet Carl walked the aisle and gave to me
His beautiful loving daughter, Peggy
It didn't stop there, no way
He has been a special person to this very day

Our mechanic and handyman for many a year
And for the rest of the family he holds so dear
We burned wood in three stoves in our abode
Carl supplied the split logs for us to load

Most every Sunday we were ask to their repast
As well as the other members of the family cast
Later, football game or other sports on TV
Or in the front yard playing catch with the Frisbee

Carl's homemade ice cream is an afternoon treat
And his cookies, the grandkids love to eat
Holiday baking is part of Shirley and his routine
His chocolate pretzels and party mix are very keen

Carl is a Seabee Vet of WW II
His stories of the Okinawa typhoon that blew
Card games and sending wages to parents
Are of my favorites of his memories of events

He has had a varied work related career
Driving big machinery and, on his farm, a John Deere
U.S. postal employee, owned and operated a gas station
Semi livestock hauler and land construction restoration

Carl is now eighty and past his prime
Yet to me he will always be that man
Who when asked, "Could you spare a dime?"
The answer is, "Yes, for my loved ones, anytime."