No Greater Hero

No Greater Hero,

Struggling through the Great Depression
Growing up fatherless in the care of a loving aunt
Losing her husband, his weary mother could not cope

Working for the Civilian Conservation Corps
Trying to support his family
Attending school at night to provide a better life

Playing his sax and clarinet
Resounding notes of joy cast blessings
Filling our home with happiness many children never know

Loving eyes and deep, gentle voice
Drawing admiration from all who came to know him
Speaking softly, never in harsh tones

Accepting life’s challenges
Forgiving when his children seemed ungrateful
Nurturing, caring, standing by our sides

Picking us up when we fell
Offering support in every endeavor
Being the kind of father he never had

Teaching us to work hard and achieve
Reminding us that life offers no guarantees
Encouraging us to rebound from challenges as “come-back kids”

Gathering at his hospital bedside New Year’s Day 2009
Astonishing nurses with the depth of our love
Never leaving his side, three grown children rested hands upon his

Lingering six days in a coma, perhaps his soul already in heaven
Speaking to him, hoping he could hear
Wanting him to feel our love one last time

Siblings who rarely agreed
Concurring just this once
Feeling blessed by our father, the brightest star we see in heaven

Carolyn Devonshire

* Dedicated to my father, Arthur Schwarz, who died January 6, 2009

This poem, is Carolyn Devonshire.
one feels each word, not only in this wonderful dedication to her father,
but in every poem she writes,
her comments are warm and sincere,
and one can only be drawn to her understanding of the human race.
this is a wonderful contest. and i for one feel honoured to be a part of it.
harry horsman.