He calls me Tip

If ever I was asked-

Who was the greatest teacher

in your life?

 I would reply-

My father;

Hard and gentle

Rough and smooth-

He taught me the law of nature

And of the Beauty there too,

It captured my wonder

And brought me through

And forward

In all steps, in all ways…

He calls me Tip-

In some ways I think

He may not believe

 that I have lived up

to such a name;

Dear Dad, I tell you…

From the bottom up I came and reached

That elevation-

I live my life in such a way

That I am proud and humble,

Loving and fearless

And most

Thankful to acknowledge-

 I was raised by a man

Whose strength is mighty gentle…

Like a mountain.

Whose weakness only is like that

Of a river,

Ebbing and flowing

…as it was made to do.