Editor’s note: With Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, June 19, we present this poem submitted by Leland Spencer of Monument. Spencer found the poem, handwritten in fountain pen on old brown tablet paper. Though it was unsigned, Spencer believes it was written during World War I by his great uncle Joseph Paul Spencer.

‘Dear Dad’

I wish I had the power to write

The thoughts wedged in my head tonight,

As I sit watching that small star …

And wondering how and where you are.

You know, dad, it’s a funny thing

How close a war can always bring

A family who, for years with pride,

Have kept emotions deep inside.

I’m sorry that when I was small

You let reserve build up the wall.

You told me real men never cried,

And it was Mom who always dried

My tears and smoothed the hurt away

So that soon I went to play.

Now suddenly you find your son

A full grown man with childhood done.

Tonight I’m far across the blue

Waging war for men like you.

Well, somehow pride and what is right

Just do not seem to go tonight.

I find my eyes won’t stay quite dry,

I find that men sometimes do cry,

And if we stood here, face to face

I’m ‘fraid we’d find men do embrace.

Dad, all sons are a funny lot,

And if I’ve failed you in some spot

It’s not because I loved you less

‘Twas ‘cause of your cussed manliness.

But if I had the power to write

The thoughts wedged in my heart tonight

The words would ring out loud and true,

I’m proud, dear dad, yes, proud of you.

Joseph Paul Spencer