The Father's Crown

The silence of the doctors was a shadow on the wall
The paper said 'no children, ' but you answered life's call
With hands that knew the blueprint of the steel and the stone
You built a heart of kindness on a fragile, loving throne
You dreamt of perfect angles, of pistons and precise design
But got caught in the puzzle of the feelings you resigned

Don't cry, Daddy, please, let the river run dry
The truest love of all needs no word or a sigh
You could be the President, a King or a star
The fastest race car driver, soaring near or far
But the mirror that you gave me is the strength of my soul
The best father in the world–you made my spirit whole

I watched your clumsy effort to tie my shoe when I was small
I saw the tears you fought back when you thought you might fall
You judged the man you should have been by standards way too high
But your truth was in the welcome when my own dreams went awry
No need for perfect wisdom, no need for perfect grace
Your pure and honest effort set the time and the place
That simple, perfect love, it was recognized in truth
The endless, flowing current from your childhood youth

Now the chapters have turned, and the mirror's complete
You trade silent sorrow for the joy of small feet
You hold your grandchild's hand, drying innocent tears
The man you are is greater than the man of your fears
We are what destiny decided, bound by love and grace
My father, my foundation, in this timeless, sacred space

Never blame the man you wanted, only praise the man you grew
You are the highest title, the best that saw me through
Don't cry, Daddy, please, you wore the Father's Crown