By Brandon Bretz

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

(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 steptbetween, 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.

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.

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.

„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.

High from the earth I heard a bird;He trod upon the treesAs he esteemed them trifles,And then he spied a breeze,And situated softlyUpon a pile of windWhich in a perturbationNature had left behind.A joyous-going fellowI gathered from his talk,Which both of benedictionAnd badinage partook,Without apparent burden,I learned, in leafy woodHe was the faithful fatherOf a dependent brood;And this untoward transportHis remedy for care,—A contrast to our respites.How different we are!

by Emily

Dickinson

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.

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 knowThe 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 flyAnd drive the good in him away.Teach me to win his trust, that heShall 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 seeA 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 playAnd be a comrade with my boy.Wherever we may chance to be,Let him find happiness with me.

Lord, as his father, now I prayFor 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!

„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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Seeing as Father's Day is drawing nearPrepare good fathers for the high chairsWhere to receive some genuine cheersFor how much they've truly caredAnd for the time that they've sharedDoing the duties of sensitive fathersNot like those men who are carelessLiving their lives tough and heartless Standing together let's not be scaredOf saying what should've been declaredTruth is there are some who are called fathersAlthough they aren't doing the duty of fathersEven though by name they are known to beSo far their fatherly duty is still yet to be seenFather, if yesterday you were going your own ways

But today you become a father change your waysPrepare to start taking on the duty of a fatherBe aware this could mean it's time to work harderWith the woman whose child you are the fatherGiven that God has been the very first fatherHe has exemplified us of how to take careIn every way that we should live and shareSimilar to how He does it for allEven as „He maketh His sun to riseOn the evil and on the good, And sendeth the rain on the justAnd on the unjust (Matt5: 45) 'I will say three cheers dueUnto all the caring fathersThough I wish every fatherGood, bad or unlikableHappy Father's Day!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Burns, Robert. "My Father Was a Farmer by Robert Burns." My Father Was a Farmer by Robert Burns. The New York Times Company, n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://poetry.about.com/od/poemsbytitlem/l/blburnsmyfather.htm>.

Dickinson, Emily. "High from the Earth I Heard a Bird by Emily Dickinson." High from the Earth I Heard a Bird by Emily Dickinson. The New York Times Company, n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/bldickinsonfather.htm>.

Guest, Guest Albert. "Edgar Albert Guest (20 August 1881 - 5 August 1959 / Birmingham / England)." Poemhunter.com. PoemHunter, n.d. Web. 27 May 2013. <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-father-s-prayer-5/>.

Nagy, Mary. "Mary Nagy (11-08-1970)." Poemhunter.com. Poem Hunter, n.d. Web. 27 May 2013. <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/father-and-son-2/>.

Prince, Clarence. "Clarence Prince (September 14 / Jamaica W1)." Poemhunter.com. Poem Hunter, n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/for-fathers-on-father-s-day/>.