For My Daughter
For My Daughter (Poem)
If I tell you
To be honest and true,
In all that you do,
...Will you be?
Or will it be me,
Oh, Fruit of My Tree,
To whom you will look - and agree?
And if that's the case,
Will your beauty and grace
Mirror the life that I chase?
Will my dreams become yours
As you walk through the doors
Of the triumphs and troubles we face?
Perhaps you'll break free of soc-i-et-y
A true devotee of the land! And the sea!
Living a life of hyperbole
A lover of life - of pure ecstasy!
Whatever you choose, be happy with life;
Embrace it the way a husband should wife
Sometimes it's easy, and sometimes it's hard;
Sometimes you'll trust, and other times guard
The trick is to learn when to do which
And if you misjudge, your seams can be stitched.
Never feel conquered - put up your fist!
If you need help, I'm here to assist.
You're never alone, remember-you-this!
The love that we share will always persist.
Remember this well! For when you do wrong,
No matter how bad, be humble and strong!
Swallow your pride, and own your mistakes
So the world can see you have what it takes
When you look in the mirror, love what you see
Not only what’s there, but more than skin-deep
Smile, be kind, lend others your hands
Help not for help back, but like a stagehand
Bring the world together - one part at a time -
Whether in light that’s absent or lime.
Take pride in your role! For the world’s a machine:
Each part important - displayed or unseen.
Now and forever
Through all your endeavours
Be clever, and never afraid - come whatever
Let these words ring true
But whatever you do -
However you end things or start -
I'll be there with you,
In all that you do,
‘Cause I love you with all of my heart.
- A. J. Darkholme (January 2016)
Listen to “For My Daughter” on YouTube today!
For My Daughter (Lyrics)
[Verse 1]
If I tell you to be honest and true
In all that you do
Will you be?
Or will you look to me
And our family tree
And carry this light that you see?
Your beauty, your grace
The dreams that you’ll chase
May mirror the roads that I’ve known
But maybe instead
You’ll break out ahead
And carve out a life of your own
[Bridge]
Perhaps you’ll drift from society’s frame
And run to the sea
Or follow a flame
Maybe you’ll live like pure poetry
A lover of life
And happily free
No matter your choice…
[Chorus]
Be honest, be brave, be true, be you
Live loud, love hard, start over anew
Whatever you choose
Whatever you start
I'll lift you
I'll catch you
I'll take things apart
And we'll build it together
'Cause all-the-world's better
With you at its heart
[Verse 2]
Life will be kind
And life will be cruel
It teaches its lessons
No guide and no rule
Sometimes you’ll trust
Sometimes you’ll fight
Sometimes you’ll stumble
Or feel just-right
Those times that you fall
Do not hide your face
Be humble, be strong
Sure to show yourself grace
Swallow the pride
Remember self-love
Capture that wasp - turn it into a dove!
Set free the emotions
That make themselves known
For mistakes are the seeds
From which we’ve all grown
[Chorus]
Be honest, be brave, be true, be you
Live loud, love hard, start over anew
Whatever you choose
Whatever you start
I'll lift you
I'll catch you
I'll take things apart
And we'll build it together
'Cause all-the-world's better
With you at its heart
[Verse 3]
When you look in the mirror
Love what you see
Not only the skin
But the soul you've set free
Be kind, lend your hands
And give without need
Your small acts of love
Are the world’s true seed
[Chorus]
Be honest, be brave, be true, be you
Live loud, love hard, start over anew
Whatever you choose
Whatever you start
I'll lift you
I'll catch you
I'll take things apart
And we'll build it together
'Cause all-the-world's better
With you at its heart
[Breakdown]
Now and forever
Through all your endeavors
Glare at the storms
Venture into the weather
Remember it's better to grow
Than to wither
And know, my sweet daughter, it’s true
That I've loved your debut
And since, all that you do…
I just cherish each second with you