QUIET
Poetry by Tammy C. Smith
A Spiritual And Inspirational Poem from All-Creatures.org

He has a soft and gentle voice,
and when he speaks his words are mild.
He is humble. Unassuming.
His ways are warm, so is his smile.
He is well liked. Respectful.
He always says sir and ma’am.
I am taught to do the same.
When did Tammy become Tam?
And when I look into his eyes
Santa lives and reindeer fly.
Just a baby four years old
reaching for his hand to hold.
In his presence I feel safe
and all my world is right in place.
Bedtime prayers down on my knees:
God bless kittens and puppies.

He has a soft and gentle voice,
and when he speaks his words are kind.
He is so calm. And composed.
I know that I will never find
A greater man to love than he,
and when I have a long dark day
He’s standing right there next to me,
“Don’t worry Tam, Hone, that’s O.K.!”
And when I look into his eyes
Santa lives and reindeer fly.
Just a girl sixteen years old
reaching for his hand to hold.
In his presence I find comfort,
no matter knee or feelings hurt.
Bedtime prayers down on my knees:
Help me through these teen years please.

He has a soft and gentle voice,
and when he speaks his words are wise.
With his advice and faith in me
I find the strength to stand and rise.
For myself and my beliefs.
I’m finding out just who I am.
But I keep looking back for him;
he’s right behind me, “That’s great Tam!”
And when I look into his eyes
Santa lives and reindeer fly.
In my twenties I still reach
for his hand to guide and teach.
In his presence I find answers;
what in life does really matter?
Bedtime prayers now said out loud:
Help me Lord to make him proud.

He has a soft and gentle voice,
and when he speaks his words I heed.
He is the smartest man I know.
He is not ruled by mighty greed.
He is modest. And private.
He is a man of simple means.
He teaches me that gold is not
one of life’s important things.
And when I look into his eyes
Santa lives and reindeer fly.
After more than three decades
his hand remains my saving grace.
In his presence I find freedom
to accept who I’ve become.
I said my prayer for him, not me,
as I was wheeled to surgery.
Lord, if this day shall be my last,
please give him peace. That’s all I ask.
It was such a scary time;
did I hold his hand? Or he mine?

He has a soft and gentle voice,
and when he speaks to me I hear:
A kind man with so much wisdom.
His words are music to my ears.
He is the richest man I know.
He teaches me that true wealth
Is not inside the banker’s vault
but only found within myself.
And when I look into his eyes
Santa lives and reindeer fly.
Now I’m older; forty years,
and still his hand calms all my fears.
In his presence I find me:
the person that I wish to be.
I still say my prayers each night,
I guess old habits die hard, right?
Thank you Lord, I am grateful
for this man so wonderful.
To teach me life and hold my hand,
upon his courage I now stand.
Through his wisdom I have learned
that self-respect must be earned.
Value of life is not written
on paper or silver printed.
Character is not colored gold.
Self worth is never bought or sold.
And to forgive above all else,
not just others but myself.
And at last I finally see:
the person I must love is me.
When life grows dark now I’m not scared,
because I know he will be there.
With words of wise and kind and mild.
How blessed I am to be his child.
I’ll never find someone who loves
and teaches me quiet like Pa does.

He has a soft and gentle voice.
 
AUTHOR: Tammy Carol Smith
Proud Daughter a.k.a. Daddy’s Girl
2005

For Pa, the best Daddy in the whole wide world.
Thank you for being my best friend.
I love you.