Her Heart

I saw him leaning into her shoulder, 
her gorgeous smile on display, 
just as I have always known it to be, 
fully beaming, 
as if it comes from somewhere else, 
deep inside of her, 
blessed by God, 
a testament to her beauty, 
showing off, 
His hand in her creation.

For what she means to me, 
I give all glory to God, 
a reminder, 
of how blessed I am, 
in having her, 
as my daughter. 

Because of that, 
I can say, 
there is no crown, 
no honor, 
no diamond, 
no gem, 
no throne, 
that could ever replace, 
the honor, 
I have in being your father, 
I have taken her heart into my heart, 
there is room there to carry it, 
her and mine, 
beat together, 
now and always. 

Then there are the times, 
she reaches out to me, 
like when she was a child, 
her hand in mine, 
urgent requets for princess kisses, 
dances, 
now, 
she goes her own way, 
no longer reaching for me, 
but still watched by me, 
waiting for the opportunity, 
having glimpses, 
of the past, 
what was, 
constrasted to now, 
still her heart carried in mine, 
matched beat for beat, 
cherished always, 
hers is mine, 
mine is hers.

Now more oblique, 
off to the side, 
farther ahead, 
me, 
still close behind. 

T.S. Deary 
9/21 - 9/30/23