Dear dad

Born of you
not from you-
I stare in the mirror and see
my eyes-
see differently, yet are coloured like yours
hazel
warm
glazed when fuelled-
by anger
surprise, or whatever may be

Born of you
not from you-
I share your name
my name-
but not for long, it was borrowed
time
now I have a new name,
not yours
not really mine either
borrowed

Born of you
not from you-
I speak like you
or not-
quiet
brooding
hawk eyes watching
slow to anger,
words thought
not wasted on frivolity

Born of you
not from you-
there is no other
I wish to have-
as the one who has watched me grow
watched me fall in love
walked me down the aisle-
with silent tears
as my own was born
a hero in my eyes and heart forever