Confession of a true romantic, happy Father's day

Here's a new piece and an old piece from me for Father's Day. My dad died awhile ago but when is not really important. Truly it is more sad when a child doesn't out live his parents. I was lucky to be raised by intensely passionate parents. Rich in work ethic, but never would I describe them as Saints. As I've grown, I've understood the patchwork that God loves in us... the deep navies and the trouble corduroys are right next to the rich flannel and the bright silk. So for Father's Day I go back to something he passed me that I can't erase, romance. Say what you will about Dad, but he raised seven children while flirting with every pretty woman I ever saw him close to at a wedding or family get together.

First a song I wrote for Dad back in 2005...

Me and Dad never talked to much
He pounded nails for a paltry pay
We were just Catholic White Trash
Goin to church but not actin’ that way

Now I’m walkin’ with the ghost of my old man
I live his purgatory today
Refresh his soul from his bigotry
I am walkin’ in his footsteps everyday.
I am walkin’ in his footsteps everyday.

Dad had an eye on pretty girls,
He had sparkle eyes when he flirted
Now over 40 and I do the same
But like Dad, we never cheated

Your craft made wood come to life
Red River Valley was a hymn to you
Now I make the guitar wood sing
And I hasten to bid you adieu

Now I’m walkin’ with the ghost of my old man
I live his purgatory today
Refresh his soul from his bigotry
I am walkin’ in his footsteps everyday.
I am walkin’ in his footsteps everyday.

Footsteps Everyday by Dave Schipper © RoseRiversongs 2005

Next is just a fresh piece of prose with many inspirations from Leonard Cohen, Harry Chapin, and Rod McKuen ... so a guy's got to write about he knows sometimes '-) and I doubt if it will become a song like the last one. Of course, I do think it has potential if I write a cool chorus.. (eternal optimist ... yep I would think Dad first for an influence on that one.)

It is with dread I tell my story; my confession.
As I open myself to the honesty of consequences.
Addicted, I must avoid the public places of life
Anytime I sit in the open, it’s mere moments
And I’m lost in romance of another stranger.

These novelettes are one sided but each unique.
The cotton print of the blushing brunette
The piercing eyes of the gray hair beauty
The pug braid accentuating her long neck
And I’m lost in the unfolding love and danger.

The vulnerability is my haunting pleasure
These souls don’t realize their power over me
I’d be on bended knee in a flash if they knew.
A mere sentence or two would pierce a shy armor
Bleeding passion profusely, a life changer.

Though no one is hurt, scar tissue is growing.
Not that this play has no acts or scenes set,
It’s just that the reality of a few minutes
Is dwarfed by the epic played out in my head.
I’m just lost again in romance and I linger.

But drag me through the gutter; I do go on.
And I must admit my saviors are the angels.
I must only be attracted to the true golden ones.
They see this halo of a ring I wear proudly
And treat me as some else’s gift and tender.

Well a leopard can’t change his spots, nor I.
I am blanketed in love from a special woman.
One who knows me for the gypsy lover within
So my heart will skip a beat for sparkling eyes
And I’ll be lost in romance with another stranger.

But I sleep at peace with my true love
With a smile on my face.

(c) by Dave Schipper 2010 Rose Riversongs

ok maybe I have read way too much Rod McKuen in my youth... Happy Father's day to all.. and I hope that your boys grow up to be romantics in love with every woman they see.