Edward Majeski

When I was a boy on the farm in Indiana
I would work sun-up to sun-down. We never
Complained: my immigrant parents taught us the
Value of hard work and determination.
After I met Sophie, all my quiet confidence and
Strength would vanish when I talked to her.
I have never been much of a talker;
I never had any need for it.
For some reason, Sophie agreed to marry me.
And then we moved to the city.
I got another job in a chemical plant and worked
Hard for the rest of my life. My hands grew
Strong and scarred from a lifetime of manual labor,
Even as my four children grew
Strong and independent, opinionated and hardworking.
How often did I yell at them, tell them to
Work harder, and never encourage or praise them?
Did they know that I loved them?
I never once told anyone that.
It was not my way.
My once strong hands grew weak and arthritic; I had a stroke.
Ironic that I die weak, when I was always tough and strong.

Bob Magee