Strong, poised
and confident
A source
of humor, a calm counterforce to malcontent
Provider
and handyman
Wise sage
and slayer of the boogieman
Everything
he has always been
Cook,
housekeeper, diaper changer and taxi service
Source of
encouragement or a timely hug for reassurance
Emotional
support, a sympathetic ear
Defender,
advocate, an antidote to fear
Everything
else he has become
Ads, T.V.
shows and movies – methods to resist
That
progress…so antiquated stereotypes still persist
To
marginalize, overlook and mock
Mom’s
equal cohort and the family’s indispensable rock
This
despite the progress, what he now is
No worries,
no apologies – it is what fathers do
The
family’s drumbeat whose perpetuity is assumed
Credit isn’t
necessary, nor is praise
Just a pat
on the back on one dedicated day