Jasper

You'll hear a lot of things about me
some great,
from good people
some bad from hurt hearts
I hope you don't mind son,
Your father,
was a wanderer,
barely together with a broken heart
and a decent fellow to some
At this point still trying to find my place
and leaving destruction in my wake


You're way too young to know
and I'm happy to hold you still
I hope you never lose that smile
As I watched mine slip from every other photograph
until it's been away for awhile...

And I'd give my life to keep yours bright.
I'll shield your eyes from all that's rotten
but I can't wait to see you grow
and for your call hopefully often
because when my days go bad
I'd kill to hear you say
"Hey Dad, I love you"
For all my bad thoughts
 would be forgotten....