1. By Brandon Bretz

2. To My Father,
I have made this entire project and dedicated it all to you
dad. You have helped me along all of my life. If it weren‟t
for you I‟m sure I wouldn‟t be who I am today. I would
never have the respect for athletics that I do now. I would
never know what it means to be a hard worker. I would
never hear the epic story about “The Freeman”. I know for
certain I wouldn‟t be half as funny or good looking. All of
the things I have written are what come to mind when I
think of you. I couldn‟t ask for a better father if I tried.
Your loving son,
Brandon Bretz

3. (sung to the tune of “The weaver
and his shuttle, O.”)
My father was a farmer upon the
Carrick border, O,
And carefully he bred me in decency
and order, O;
He bade me act a manly part, though
I had ne‟er a farthing, O;
For without an honest manly heart,
no man was worth regarding, O.
Then out into the world my course I
did determine, O;
Tho‟ to be rich was not my wish, yet
to be great was charming, O;
My talents they were not the worst,
nor yet my education, O:
Resolv‟d was I at least to try to mend
my situation, O.
In many a way, and vain essay, I
courted Fortune‟s favour, O;
Some cause unseen still stept
between, to frustrate each endeavour,
O;
Sometimes by foes I was
o‟erpower‟d, sometimes by friends
forsaken, O;
And when my hope was at the top, I
still was worst mistaken, O.
Then sore harass‟d and tir‟d at last,
with Fortune‟s vain delusion, O,
I dropt my schemes, like idle dreams,
and came to this conclusion, O;
The past was bad, and the future hid,
its good or ill untried, O;
But the present hour was in my
pow‟r, and so I would enjoy it, O.

4. No help, nor hope, nor view had I, nor
person to befriend me, O;
So I must toil, and sweat, and moil, and
labour to sustain me, O;
To plough and sow, to reap and mow, my
father bred me early, O;
For one, he said, to labour bred, was a
match for Fortune fairly, O.
Thus all obscure, unknown, and poor, thro‟
life I‟m doom‟d to wander, O,
Till down my weary bones I lay in
everlasting slumber, O:
No view nor care, but shun whate‟er might
breed me pain or sorrow, O;
I live to-day as well‟s I may, regardless of
to-morrow, O.
But cheerful still, I am as well as a
monarch in his palace, O,
Tho‟ Fortune‟s frown still hunts me down,
with all her wonted malice, O:
I make indeed my daily bread, but ne‟er
can make it farther, O:
But as daily bread is all I need, I do not
much regard her, O.
When sometimes by my labour, I earn a
little money, O,
Some unforeseen misfortune comes
gen‟rally upon me, O;
Mischance, mistake, or by neglect, or my
goodnatur‟d folly, O:
But come what will, I‟ve sworn it still,
I‟ll ne‟er be melancholy, O.
All you who follow wealth and power
with unremitting ardour, O,
The more in this you look for bliss, you
leave your view the farther, O:
Had you the wealth Potosi boasts, or
nations to adore you, O,
A cheerful honest-hearted clown I will
prefer before you, O.

5. The poem is a story about the life of a farmer‟s son. In the beginning it talks about how the son
was raised by his father. He made him work without pay and raised him up to be a man. As an
adult he sought after his dreams and this failed him. Later in life he became a farmer. The man
struggles with the hard labor of farming. He then goes on to explain that even though his life may
be crummy he is content with it and is just happy to be alive. He gives warning to all at the end of
poem that chasing after wealth and worldly desires will not end well. He also says that he pays
higher respects to jesters than those that chase after fame and wealth.
Throughout the poem there is a good rhythmic beat. Each line shares a similar syllable count,
which gives the poem a sense of flow or movement. There is also a lot of rhyming. The first two
lines in a stanza rhyme as well as the last two. A good example of this would be in the words
“border” and “order” from line one and two.
I would say that the tone is a bizarre mix of happiness and despair. Life is not great for the son
of a farmer, but yet he is not depressed.

6. „My Father Was a Farmer‟ has a few repeated ideas in it. The first being that having
riches, fame and glory isn‟t all it‟s cracked up to be. One should not waste their life
dreaming of more fortune. The poem also has a topic of loneliness in it, such as how the
son is often turned away, has no friends and is overpowered by foes.
The author uses strong and descriptive words in the poem making for good mental
imagery. These words were also good for the description of him and the life he lead all
through the poem. Such as the word forsaken which was used to explain his midlife. He
forsook all of his opportunities, because he was chasing after idle dreams. Words like
obscure, unknown and poor explain how he foolishly squandered life. There are stronger
words like plow, sow, reap and mow that give a solid explanation of how he struggles
during his work as well as how hard he works.
The poem alliterates the letter „O‟. In the beginning of the poem „O‟ feels strange and
out of place. More towards the middle you do not think a whole lot about it. Then
towards the end of poem the reader loses track of „O‟ entirely.
The structure of the poem works well. The poem is broken into four lines per stanza.
It is written in the form of a song which helps the reading flow. Also, each line ends with
a hearty „O‟ which I feel ads some lightheartedness to the poem.

7. High from the earth I heard a bird;
He trod upon the trees
As he esteemed them trifles,
And then he spied a breeze,
And situated softly
Upon a pile of wind
Which in a perturbation
Nature had left behind.
A joyous-going fellow
I gathered from his talk,
Which both of benediction
And badinage partook,
Without apparent burden,
I learned, in leafy wood
He was the faithful father
Of a dependent brood;
And this untoward transport
His remedy for care,—
A contrast to our respites.
How different we are!
by Emily
Dickinson

8. The poem 1783 by Emily Dickinson is a wonderful poetic piece. It is about a man taking a
stroll through the woods as he reflects on his relationship with his father. Judging by the
words “untoward transport” the father has passed away. This tells the reader something
unfortunate happened. The poem for the most part is happy and upbeat
The poem has many repeated ideas. Like nature is very prevalent with the constant
reference to birds, trees and wind. Family is another reoccurring theme in the poem. The son
thinks about his father and how his pa‟ was there for him. He thought about how his dad took
care of him, supported him and raised him up.
The overall tone for the poem is rather cheerful. All through the story nature is described.
For example, a bird happily walks about on a tree branch and how it gazed around in curiosity.
Happier words are used such as joyous, remedy, softly and benediction. These words are used
to tell how the father feels, how the environment is and how the son is feeling. The poem also
has a bit of a darker tone mixed into it with such words as perturbation, burden and untoward
which all are fairly negative in comparison to the joyous tone in the rest of the poem.
Throughout the poem not a lick of alliteration can be found.
The sentence structure of a poem is very important in a poem and the writer took no
shortcuts here. Overall the structure of sentences feels relaxed and simple. There are only a
handful of words per line. The poem is relatively short and fast. The authors detailed word
choice makes you think about each individual word. In the poem there is not a single rhyme
and you never feel rushed to read at any particular speed.

9. Lord, make me tolerant and wise;
Incline my ears to hear him through;
Let him not stand with downcast eyes,
Fearing to trust me and be true.
Instruct me so that I may know
The way my son and I should go.
When he shall err, as once did I,
Or boyhood folly bids him stray,
Let me not into anger fly
And drive the good in him away.
Teach me to win his trust, that he
Shall keep no secret hid from me.
Lord, strengthen me that I may be;
A fit example for my son;
Grant he may never hear or see
A shameful deed that I have done.
However sorely I am tried,
Let me not undermine his pride.
In spite of years and temples gray,
Still let my spirit beat with joy;
Teach me to share in all his play
And be a comrade with my boy.
Wherever we may chance to be,
Let him find happiness with me.
Lord, as his father, now I pray
For manhood's strength and counsel wise;
Let me deal justly, day by day,
In all that fatherhood implies.
To be his father, keep me fit;
Let me not play the hypocrite!

10. „A Father‟s Prayer‟ written by Edgar Guest is a beautiful example of a
poem. The poem is about a father talking with God. The father prays for
himself and his son. Throughout the poem he prays for physical and mental
strength. The father asks for these strengths, in order to build a strong bond
with his son. This man‟s prayer shows he and God have a strong and joyful
relationship.
There are few things that are commonly repeated in the poem. The first of
which is the father aiming to be a great dad to his son. He wants to have a
strong and healthy relationship with his son and an even stronger friendship.
The writer also continuously prays for strength in his relationship, strength in
wisdom, mental strength and physical strength. He needs these strengths in
order to keep up with his son and so that he will remain patient with his son.
The father does not want to burst out in anger.

11. All through the poem the tone is well placed and works well. The tone of
the poem is one of both happiness and respect. The father is happy in both his
spirit and with his relationship with his son. And he is respectful to God
constantly calling upon his name threw the poem.
The author uses good strong words to support his ideas and tone. Words
like tolerant, strengthen and teach are all words he uses while asking for
specific things which he seeks through prayer. And he uses words like trust,
strengthen and example; words he uses to describe what he wants to improve
in the relationship with his son.
The poem has a solid rhyme scheme all the way through the poem. In every
stanza the first line and the third line rhyme. And the second line and the fourth
line rhyme. Also, the fifth line and sixth line rhyme.
The structure of the poem is very neat and orderly. It is broken up into five
separate stanzas. Each stanza is broken up into two sentences or six lines.
Although it is separated into five pieces it is all one continuous prayer. The
father talks to the Lord calmly just as if it were a conversation with another
person repeatedly saying his name emphasizing his need for help.

12. You're standing in the
doorway.
Your workday is all done.
He waits to see you everyday,
this boy that is your son.
He hopes you will go fishing.
He hopes you'll shoot the gun.
He just wants to be with you,
this boy that is your son.
He is your spitting image.
To him you are ''The One''.
He hopes to be just like you,
this boy that is your son.
You show him what a man is.
You teach as you have fun.
You are admired as well as
loved
by this boy that is your son.
You've got a friend forever.
Until the world is done.
Then, still you will be holding
this man that is your son.

13. This poem is about a father rising up his son. As the son becomes older he and
his father form a relationship will last a lifetime. The writer creates great mental
imagery such as the son waiting in the doorway waiting for his dad. In a few
years the son wants to shoot guns and go fishing with his father. As he grows up
he begins resemble his dad. He looks up to his father as a role model, a teacher
and a friend. Even later in his life he still holds his father‟s hand showing their
great and lasting friendship.
Throughout the poem there is a there are a handful of repeated ideas. One of
the bigger ideas in the poem is the bonding family which grows into a strong
friendship. A good example the father and son bonding is how the boy wants to
go fishing or wants to shoot a gun and just simply bond with his father. Growing
up is also another reoccurring idea in this poem as you watch both the boy and
his dad grow.

14. I really enjoy the tone that is set in this poem. It is a tone of heartfelt happiness. I
also felt a more personal tone while reading the poem. I thought of my childhood
growing up with my father and doing some of the same things. Like wanting to play
games with him, spend time with him and even waiting for him to come home.
There are many words that speak to the reader all through the story. „Spitting image‟
is a phrase that stuck out to me; due to me being a doppelganger of my father. The line
“To him you are the „One,‟” also stuck out because the child looks to his father as a role
model and hero figure. I think at the end “This man is your son” really sticks out. Up
until this point every stanza ends with “This boy that is your son,” it shows that the boy
has grown up into a man.
In this poem there is a little alliteration here and there. Each stanza ends the same on
the fourth line with “This boy that is your son”. There also rhymes throughout the
poem. Every second line in the stanza rhymes with the forth line. Each stanza flows
together with a five beat rhythm. The pome is organized and built the in to five or six
words per verse in each stanza. The words used in the poem show that the child of the
father grew up to be a Man.

15. Seeing as Father's Day is drawing near
Prepare good fathers for the high chairs
Where to receive some genuine cheers
For how much they've truly cared
And for the time that they've shared
Doing the duties of sensitive fathers
Not like those men who are careless
Living their lives tough and heartless
Standing together let's not be scared
Of saying what should've been declared
Truth is there are some who are called
fathers
Although they aren't doing the duty of
fathers
Even though by name they are known to
be
So far their fatherly duty is still yet to be
seen
Father, if yesterday you were going your
own ways
But today you become a father change
your ways
Prepare to start taking on the duty of a
father
Be aware this could mean it's time to
work harder
With the woman whose child you are the
father
Given that God has been the very first
father
He has exemplified us of how to take care
In every way that we should live and
share
Similar to how He does it for all
Even as „He maketh His sun to rise
On the evil and on the good,
And sendeth the rain on the just
And on the unjust (Matt5: 45) '
I will say three cheers due
Unto all the caring fathers
Though I wish every father
Good, bad or unlikable
Happy Father's Day!

16. This poem dose an excellent job of what it sets out to do. This
work is about fathers being celebrated on father‟s day. It tells you to
go out of your way and make sure that your father knows you love
and appreciate him. It says that it is hard work to be a father.
Therefore people should Give them respect and lift them up, for all
the things they do. It is also saying that even if a father does not do
his duty, you will always have God as a fatherly example. It also
talks about how God sees all people the same no matter who they are
and what they have done.
The poems tone is very cheerful all the way through. It talks
about celebrating your dad and giving love and respect to him for all
that he does for you. If you do not have a dad worth celebrating,
there is still a father that loves you in heaven above.

17. The writer uses words that are good for setting up a happy mood.
Words like cheers, cared, exemplified and together are sprinkled all
through the poem. There is never direct usage of alliteration in the
story, but there is a frequent use of the word father all through the
poem. The use of „father‟ shows that the writer really wants to display
the importance of fathers.
This poem uses rhymes very frequently and also fallows a pattern.
For a majority of the poem it rhymes every two lines and then the
whole way down till about the referenced scripture. An example of this
would be that in line four when it uses the word „cared‟ the next line
uses the word „shared‟. This rhyming pattern continues. In the poems
beginning, the sentences are approximately six or seven words per line.
Towards the middle of the poem the line length grows; containing
around nine to ten words. At the end of the poem the line length
decrease, and is formed with about four or five words.

18. My father loves her dearly,
Sought after her his whole life,
Cherishes his time with her.
He becomes upset when she is hurt,
and loves to share and show her off,
Even my friend has spent time with her.
He likes to get her all revved up,
and keep her squeaky clean.
She does not like the snow,
Winter is her time for rest,
He longs to be with her in the spring.
He is always concerned about her.
She helps carry around the tools of his hobby.
She is very small for him,
Yet he would never give her up,
Not for all the headspace in the world.
My dad loves her very much,
It shows every time he gets in his Mustang.
By Brandon
Bretz

19. I decided to write this poem about my father‟s Ford Mustang. I chose his
Mustang because it‟s very important to him. I‟d go as far to say it is one of his
most prized positions. When I see a grey and silver 2001 Mustang my dad and
his car are the first things that come to mind. I chose to personify the car and
describe it as a woman, because I think this makes the poem a lot more fun.
Not only was it fun to write but I think it is fun to make the reader wander who
this lady is that‟s spending all this time with my dad. This also makes showing
emotions between my father, and an obviously inanimate object a little
simpler. I wanted to describe all the things my father does with his Mustang
and how he treats the car. Like how he keeps his softball equipment in it or
how he constantly keeps it clean. I thought of a handful of task my dad uses
his car for. I also tried to show my father‟s affection for his car. I did this by
including many examples like how he sought after it, how he longs to drive it
after a long winter and how he is constantly concerned about its wellbeing. I
loved writing a poem about one of the things that makes me think of him. I
hope he appreciates the poem.

20. Man;
Father;
Husband;
Loves spending time with his wife;
Enjoys taking in nature;
Sports player;
Inspirational;
Self-expressive;
Knowledgeable;
Caring and helpful;
Tasteful;
Boss;
Humble;
Comedian;
Hardworking;
Lighthearted;
Loves to cook;
Likes a good fire;
Technologically inclined;
Responsible for making me who I am today.
by Brandon
Bretz

21. For this poem I decided to write about what my father is not only to
myself but others as well. I began this by going through my head
thinking of traits and titles that are applied to my father on a daily
basis. I took those thoughts and wrote them down on a list. Then I
picked what I thought were the best ones and I typed them onto the
page. Some are listed from top to bottom, some by importance and
others are just randomly positioned. Also, I arranged the lines into an
inkblot like image. I chose words that show his titles like man, father,
husband and boss. These words were chosen because they are ones that
I apply to him each day of my life. I used words that explain
characteristics which I see in him. Characteristics like inspirational,
humble, knowledgeable and light-hearted. Next, I thought of his
interest such as him enjoying a good fire, loving to spend time with his
wife and the enjoyment he gets from taking in the beauty of nature. I
put a lot of thought into this list and it truly does apply to the man; I
call dad.

22. He calls,
Wondering,
Inquiring,
Tiring.
A thought arrives,
I will cheer him up,
Master of my craft.
Handful of objects,
There was a load,
Seventeen,
A load of parts,
My reference is cast.
Before it was a load of bits and bobs,
Now it is a load of laughs,
We chuckle,
We laugh,
On with the day.
by Brandon
Bretz

23. In this work I wrote a simple poem about making my father laugh. I
chose to write about this because it is another moment in our father son
relationship that really stuck out to me. My father had called me during
work to ask me if we had any printer paper left at home. I checked
around and told him that we were all out. He became a little frustrated
and confused stating he had just gotten an absolute lode of paper a few
days ago. At the time he seemed tired after along workday. Therefore, I
decided to cheer him up with a silly little reference to a past work
related story. He was rather startled by the fact I even remembered the
story. After a moment of silence he burst into laughter. He told me that
he really needed that and went on with the rest of his day with a grin. I
decided to write this story using limited words to describe the situation.
I think this lets the reader imagine a lot more about what has just
occurred. I prefer this too just straight up telling them why and what
was amusing. Because once you explain why the joke is funny it isn‟t
funny.

24. Brow sweats in order to provide for family;
Influence is spread to others and me;
Thinks through tough situations with nerves of
steel;
Never sets an issue to the side;
Finds ways to repair broken things;
If some needs help a hand is given;
Always teaching and explaining something
new;
Can build the most powerful machines;
Determined to achieve goals past set;
Often upgrading or improving something;
When set off to do something it is often
achieved;
Works hard to keep everything functioning;
I appreciate and respect my father for all he
does.
by Brandon
Bretz

25. In this original work I chose to write about why I respect my father.
I chose to write about respect, because he often does all this without
even the thought of a thank you. Even though it is only the first of the
many well deserved thanks, I hope it makes up for a lot of the unspoken
ones. What this poem dose is that is goes through and explains the
many things he does for me. These are everyday things he does and
some are even things he doesn‟t notice he is doing. I chose to type in a
fashion that doesn‟t tell the reader who the poem is about until the very
end. I think this better highlights his actions throughout the poem. This
arrangement explains to the read what he does. Also, the poem‟s
organization lets the read wonder about who “he” is. I wrote the poem
in a way that shows how hard he works. For example, I write that his
brow sweats. This word choice explains that he is hard-working, and is
motivated by the need to provide for his family. I go on to write and
explain how he inspires me. I put in a lot of work to show why he earns
my respect. I can only hope that he realizes all he truly dose for me.

26. Father once told me an anecdote.
“We didn‟t even caught” he started to gloat.
A story from when he was in school.
This tale was built up like it was something cool.
A slight chuckle to himself and he cleared his throat.
“It is merely the story of me being a fool;”
While with some friends one of them thought;
Let‟s cause some trouble with a sling shot;
When it was set up and assembled;
A miniature howitzer it resembled;
Across the lawn the target was spot;
If he knew what was coming he would have trembled.
They loaded a water balloon into the sling;
And pulled it back till it was ready to fling;
With elegance and grace it soared;
But where it landed they abhorred;
In the distance a window cries;
Shattered to pieces before their eyes;
The slingshot swiftly says goodbye;
Their silly plan has gone awry;
Around the corner appears the Dean.
They quickly lie about the seen;
“No, Dean, we have not seen.”
by Brandon
Bretz

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2013. <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/father-and-son-2/>.
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