I took my father’s heroes as my own
Hoping their strength and swagger
Could be mine.
They used few words.
When they spoke,
“Ya’d better listen up.”
I said little and
No one listened.
They rode horses,
I never touched one.
They wore a polished badge,
I wore a white tee shirt.
They appealed to women,
I was awkward with girls.
John Wayne and Gary Cooper
Were my father’s heroes.
I looked up to them, but
Never could live up to their code.
When I became a man I realized,
Neither did my Dad.
He didn’t have to.
