To Phil on Father's Day

You prayed for all our children in the womb
In hope, in welcome
Crooned over them in tongues new born
Fresh from heaven hearing familiar speech
Rocked and comforted they gazed at you

You built your prayers into play things
Sawed your blessings into an endless round of
camps and cabins, swings and horses,
boats and climbers, room dividers,
and all their beds

You prayed the angels for them in their journeys
Further and further their world expanding like a universe
To the corner shop, to school, across the world
Buses, bikes and cars and planes and trains
And journeys in their hearts
gone further still
Unknown uncharted countries -

And now they are grown and nearly flown
Fledged hawks testing the thermals
Venturing over heights and chasms
Nights and days
Watchman
You keep a light burning
Giving lift to their wings.