Too Many Times

I did not call you Dad when

you were alive. After so many

years regret still manifests --

all that boozing inherited

from WW 11, a noose

affecting too many veterans.

You sacrificed for family

and country

living each day as the last,

lost your youth in war

bombers returning with

spatter and not just

mechanical parts destroyed.

Blamed you for deficiencies,

grew up to be a father

finally understanding love

you had for us –

miss you, Dad of all dads.