My teenage daughter came to me years ago with a question:
“Dad, you’re a poet, why don’t you write a poem for us kids?"
“Great idea," I said.
I’m not sure they appreciated my thoughts at that time, but they are grown now, they are all strong and productive, and they understand that struggle is usually beneficial. Muscles grow strong when they struggle.
I hope these thoughts and the philosophy which sparked them helped my children.
A WISH FOR MY CHILDREN
The world bristles with those
anxious to carry a light pack
on a wide path
down the hill
with a wind
at their back
that’s never ill
I wish you heavy loads
on an up-grade
into a strong wind
on a virgin path
that takes some breaking
so you can inhale the joy of making
your own way through obstacles
that are not too few
and I pray your biggest barrier
shall not be you
Why do I wish you heavy loads
You must surely know
Steel that feels the fire
grows strong
And because I love you so
(A few months later, the following thoughts came to mind)
MORE FOR MY CHILDREN
By Marty RicKard
Tread strongly on life's fickle road
I wish you power your loads to bear
Let friendship help you ease the pain
Waste not one second on despair
The most loving words
are sometimes unspoken
The greatest kindness
a promise unbroken
The greatest fault
a friendship forsaken
The greatest joy
a path not yet taken
There’s a difference between
being beat and beaten
done and finished
winning and being a winner
having children and being a parent
There's a difference between
broke and broken
There's a difference between
a gentle word said
and a harsh word unspoken
But the greatest sin
is withholding yourself
from what might have been
Marty RicKard Bio
Marty RicKard attended William Penn College, Iowa State University and University of Southern Mississippi, from which he holds a BS degree in journalism and photojournalism. He also has a Masters Degree in photography, in addition to the Craftsman, CPP, and A-ASP degrees. Marty spent two years as a technical writer for White Motor Company, and has worked for the Charles City Press, Mason City Globe-Gazette, and Davenport Times-Democrat. He was owner of the weekly New Sharon Star, where he was twice named Iowa Master Columnist for his article, which was syndicated in twenty Iowa newspapers. For more than a decade Marty’s regular column appeared in the Professional Photographer magazine. He has been published in many other magazines and newspapers, including Writer’s Digest, Writer Advice, Golf Digest, Resource Magazine, Picture, Range Finder, and Darkroom. In addition to his writing credits, Marty has won numerous photography awards, has lectured in 48 states, and has traveled internationally as lecturer, and judge. He was one of thirty from the U.S. to participate in the first cultural exchange with China in 1986. He currently is a regular columnist for Lens Magazine, and a full-time writer of fiction and poetry. He is the author of two poetry books and one volume of short stories. He is an entertaining speaker. |
