ABOUT

What is it about me that you would like to know?

Does it seem to you that a picture I should show?

Would it suffice to say, that I'm a simple man,

And I'm known to most folks so simply as just Dan.

Seems to me that giving lots of information,

Might lead a reader to characterization,

And what I try to say might not come across clear,

If preset assumptions effect the way they hear.

However, I reckon that folks are justified

Wondering about the guy with whom they've laughed or cried.

So some basic info I'll eventually add,

When a little more time to work on it I've had.

About Me

I know I did promise some words about myself,

So into that small chore, I am trying to delve.

Still seems it matters not, just who that I might be,

As long as with my thoughts, you listen and agree.

But curiosity seems ever to abound,

And you may feel better, if some answers are found;

So, to that simple end, my background I will share,

For the interest of any of you who care.

Very lucky in birth, not for wealth, but for Love,

A legacy for which, indeed, I’m most proud of;

Both father and mother from families of size,

Seven children in each, back then was less surprise.

Good Midwestern farm folks with faith in abundance,

Which was probably good, ‘cause wealth was in absence.

Good old-fashioned hard work, always willing to try,

Never getting ahead, but always getting by.

Now my mother’s siblings, ‘twas six brothers she had,

A fact to her mother, she often claimed was bad;

Until she did the same and six boys she did bear,

With an only daughter, her position to share.

Now Mom was the oldest, and I was her third born,

Far as I remember, her brothers were full grown;

And with them there is this peculiarity,

Three married three sisters from the same family.

Already rather big and then extended more,

Family influence was obvious in store;

We all gathered often, ‘specially on Sunday,

Enjoying together, we would share, eat and play.

Brothers, cousins, uncles, these were all of my friends,

School wasn’t social life, at least those weren’t my ends.

Maybe an introvert, I am really not sure;

I never really tried, I knew who my friends were.

Smarter than average, I did OK in school,

Started out excited, I guess that wasn’t “cool”;

I was that crazy kid, my hand I’d always raise,

Always had the answer, and liked the teacher’s praise.

But I remember when old Miss Hurdy did say,

“Dan, let’s let someone else give the answer today”;

And I thought to myself, if you’re going to wait,

On one of these others, this answer must not rate.

So I found I could coast, get an adequate grade,

Doing the things I liked, not much effort was made;

Read a lot, dreamt a lot, not trying to excel,

Just basically content, no goals as I could tell.

But as I said before, I am lucky in Love,

And I met this girl I couldn’t stop thinking of;

Pretty and exciting, opposites do attract,

From my safe, simple world she quickly did distract.

Friendship turned to dating, which grew more serious,

Our thoughts turned to marriage, one thing made us nervous;

A job would be needed, to start life on our own,

So at a bakery, the work life I was shown.

Two years as newlyweds, just happy together,

We decided ‘twas time we should decide whether:

Back to college to go and a degree to get,

Or stay at my old job and just keep selling sweat.

So still working full time, and first child on the way,

To college we returned, commuting every day.

Much more effort this time, most all A’s I did earn,

An accounting career I was able to turn.

Accounting came easy, I was a numbers guy,

And can see the logic in most things that I try.

The old hard work ethic that had been passed to me,

Usually kept me working diligently.

The Love in my childhood on a strong faith was based,

Knowing the Good Lord cares, their lives my folks faced.

Regular church-goers, they often were involved,

In community tasks where problems got resolved.

I grew up believing, knowing the Lord is true,

Didn’t have lots of doubts, as other folks might do.

And when questions in my logical mind did get,

The obviousness of a Loving God was set.

It just doesn’t take long to logically see,

A loving Creator there simply had to be;

All the explanations that man through science makes,

Just gives even more proof, a Creator it takes.

So, the many doubters still ask where is He now?

Shouldn’t He be solving all our problems somehow?

All the blame onto Him they are quick to project,

When it’s actually ours through cause and effect.

The answer George Burns gave in his role in “Oh God,”

I loved that sharp response to the question they did prod;

About famine, disease, and war with our brother?

He simply said, “That’s why I gave you each other.”

So Love’s what I started writing poems about,

At first, for that special girl so she’d have no doubt.

But then since it’s true “Love is what the world needs now,”

I was hoping to make some difference somehow.

The goodness in others we need to try to see,

And overlook differences between you and me,

Give each other a little benefit of doubt,

Often these are the things that I’m writing about.

Don’t know your expectation when this you did click,

But these are the things that I think have made me tick.

Maybe they give insight, maybe more I could say,

But this is what I came up with, at least for today.

Thanks,

Dan