Words From A Father: A Villanelle

Words from a Father

A Villanelle

My father bid me, “When you can,

Try to act like a strong fellow,

Always take it like a man.

Things will not go as you plan,

Try like a boy not to wallow,”

My father bid me, “when you can.”

Advice before real trial began,

Advice preparing for tomorrow.

“Always take it like a man.”

There were times I wished I’d ran,

I never run because, “I will follow,”

My father bid me, “when you can.”

His father taught him this same ban,

“Never kneel and never swallow,

Always take it like a man,

When you’re restrained by some man’s hand,

And you are made to bite the pillow,”

My father bid me, “When you can,

Always take it like a man.”