(photo Copyright © 2016 by David K. Carpenter)

I sat down to write a poem tonight, which I wanted to call “Miracles of the Day.”  Giving it that title in my folder of poetry on my computer, though, I realized I had already written a poem by that name–15 years ago for my then baby girl (who just recently turned 16).  So I thought I’d do a double-header here and post the original poem from 15 years ago, then the one I wrote tonight.  I hope you enjoy.  And which one do you like better?

Miracles of the Day

Of all the things
I am:  husband, employee,
Neighbor, friend, son,
I’m most proud to be
Your dad.

I watch you at play and
Wonder how I could’ve
Taken part in your creation.
You came from me, and now
You return to me,
Filling in a piece of me
That never was there before.

There’s so much I need
To do for you.
I’ll teach you to write and
Read and sing.
I’ll show you what it means
To love music and art and
The Colorado Avalanche.
I’ll teach you to thank God
For all that He has done
For you, and us.
I’ll always love your Mommy
So that you’ll know the warmth
Of a close family.

But there’s also a lot
That you can do for me,
If I let you.
You can brighten even
The worst of days by
Running to me, hugging my leg.
You remind me that sometimes
Playing with the doll house
Really is the most important thing
In the world. You won’t want me
As your playmate for very long.
I see innocence and wonder in
Your big brown eyes.

And of all the sounds
I hear, a summer breeze
Teasing branches of pine,
Ocean waves roaring up to
The edge of the land,
Birds singing praises of
Sun and spring,
The music that makes my
Heart race most is
When you call out to me,
“Daddy, Daddy!”

David K. Carpenter
August, 2001
For Kelly

Copyright © 2001 by David K. Carpenter

Miracle of the Day II

Awaking to my favorite
Breakfast, awaking at all; a
Good morning kiss and coffee,
Dogs overjoyed that I
Finally woke up:
Miracles of the day.

A friendly handshake,
Kind words exchanged,
School supplies to excited kids
Who need them—there is
No color when being the
Hands and feet of the
God who loves us all.
Miracles of the day.

Lunch, laughter,
Love unending; a
Text from my son, who
Seldom reaches out—
Miracles of the day.

Sunlight as diamonds too
Many to count dancing
On rippled lake, a
Cooling breeze dancing
With aspen and pine; a
Delicate lavender flower
Wonderfully made atop a
Lanky dancing weed; is that
Sound the wind in the trees or the
River washing over rocks?
Miracles of the day.

Crickets singing to the
Rising moon, the clouds
A canvas for the
Sun’s fiery farewell; the
Pungent, clean scent of
Earth made new as rain
Rolls in from the west.
Miracles of the day.
A child-like faith, full of
Wide-eyed wonder, in
God who will never love me
Any less than He does
Right now.
Miracle of the day.

Miracles of the Dei.

David K. Carpenter
August 13, 2016

Copyright © 2016 by David K. Carpenter