By Heather  dreamheather@hotmail.com
Date: 14 August 2000

Song of Thanks

He grew up on
the "bad" side of Bridgeport.
Surrounded by delinquents and drunks.
Worked for old man Landy
at the corner drugstore
by the age of sixteen.
Saw things there
I can't even imagine
while such a young age.
Things he never spoke of
I never heard.
But man
could he sing.

He joined the Air Force
after his schooling was done.
Was one of the few
to make it that far.
Was stationed in Germany
right after
the second world war.
Saw things there
I can't even imagine
while such a young age.
Things he never spoke of
I never heard.
But man
could he sing.

He married a girl
once the stripes had come off.
A girl from upper class Fairfield
he met at a local church.
Went on to art school
with the G.I. Bill.
Worked hard
never lost sight.
Pursued his dream
to provide his new family
with a middle class life.
Saw things there
I can't even imagine
while such a young age.
Things he never spoke of
I never heard.
But man
could he sing.

He worded hard
for his wife
and three little ones.
Painted beautiful landscapes
in his free time.
Eventually moving
his family north
to his favorite place
called Cape Cod.
Where he could
study his subjects
in their natural light
then paint them
with his oils and brush.
Saw things there
I can't even imagine
while such a young age.
Things he never spoke of
I never heard.
But man
could he sing.

He was found
to have cancer
in the early spring
of this forty-seventh year.
Just one year older
than his eldest daughter
is now.
Twenty-two years ago
almost to the day
he slowly
quiety
slipped away.
Seems so long ago
yet just yesterday.
Still I dearly miss him
this month more than most.
But of this my heart
my love
have no doubt.
He now
sees things there
I can't even imagine
while such a young age.
Things he'll never speak of
I'll never hear.
But man
Daddy
man can you sing.
I hear you right now.

      Dearest Daddy,
          Happy 70th birthday. I love you and always will.
              Together we'll sing some of your favorite.

             ...Lost
                on a painted sky
                 where the clouds are hung
                  with a poet's eye...
                          "Jonathan Livingston Seagull"
                            by Neil Diamond   1973
                   Thank You, Daddy.
                    I didn't have you long, but the one thing
                     you taught me, is the most important lesson
                     I ever learned in my life.
                     "live your dreams, life is short, don't wait,
                           DO IT NOW."
                                   Your pumpkin,
                                  Heather Lynn

                     Donald T. Baldwin  August 18,1930 - August 2,1978
                    
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