My Best That's Not Too Hot

To My Daughter

My wife just handed this to me, a poem I wrote in honor of my daughter-to-be, read at a gathering in her honor at a downtown Austin music, poetry and theater venue, attended by and starring many of Austin's finest musicians some years ago. Okay, it's a bit sappy (as any poem from a father to a daughter should be). But I thought some of you miight enjoy it.

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To My Daughter

Right now you're busy growing toes

and limiting your mother's wardrobe --

a tiny sailor floating in your own private sea,

the only creature in your world.

And yet, tonight, you are surrounded by friends,

Good friends who bring you your first gift.

And what a gift it is: the gift of music!

Music from their hearts, given freely to welcome your arrival.

How marvelous and fitting it is that you,

the child of an actor and an artist,

are ushered into life by such a shower of creativity and joy!

You will not remember this night --

but you will hear the story many, many times.

And, perhaps, years from now,

you may catch yourself humming some unfamiliar,

but strangely comforting tune --

and you will know its origin,

and you will smile.