by This is a poem I wrote about my father
English Level: B2 🇨🇦
Full Transcript
When I was a young boy, I wanted to be like my daddy.
The hardest working man I knew. He worked multiple jobs so that we’d have food on our table. And we always had food on our table.
If you needed a ride to the doctor or other appointments, he’d drive you. If you were going through a difficult time, he’d counsel you.
I’d have arguments with my friends on the playground about who had the richest dad. I’d proudly say, “my dad is richer than your dad, he has a $100!” My friends would respond, “Woah”.
When my daddy walked into a room, he’d have people laughing within minutes. And I haven’t told you about his cooking. My daddy can cook!
Like any Canadian child, I loved hockey. My dad went to the local sports shop and bought me a blocker, glove, and goalie mask so that I could play on the hockey team. For an immigrant family of low income, that wasn’t cheap.
On long road trips, I’d be his co-pilot. He trusted me to get us safely to our destination. There was no GPS in those days, so I’d lay an enormous map on my lap and give my dad instructions. I got us lost a few times, I must admit, but he didn’t care.
My dad was my superhero.
But as time passed, I started to see his flaws. I noticed the wrinkles in his character and I lashed out. Instead of acknowledging his humanity, I expected him to be superman.
I was wrong. I was wrong for only focusing on his mistakes and forgetting all the good he’d done. I was wrong for taking his sacrifices for granted and for dishonoring his name.
As a 34-year-old man, I am like my daddy.
My love for others is because of him. My social skills are because of him. My sense of humor is because of him. Any semblance of kindness in my personality is because of him.
If I were to have an argument with my friends today about who has the best dad in the world, I’d proudly say, “my dad is the best dad I could have ever asked for!”
Vocabulary Words
- to counsel (verb): give advice to (someone).
- to trust (verb): believe in the reliability, truth, or ability of.
- to admit (verb): acknowledge (a failure or fault).
- flaw (noun): a fault or weakness in a person’s character.
- wrinkle (noun): a slight line or fold in something, especially fabric or the skin of the face.
- acknowledge (verb): accept or admit the existence or truth of.
- dishonor (verb): bring shame or disgrace on.
- semblance (noun): the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different.
Phrases to Remember
- lash out: attack someone or something verbally.
- take for granted: fail to properly appreciate (someone or something), especially as a result of overfamiliarity.
- sense of humor: a person’s ability to perceive humour or appreciate a joke.
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