Poem: Father

This is a first draft of a poem I'm thinking of sending to Chicken Soup for the Soul. It's free verse. Do you think I should rhyme it? Do you get the meaning? Do you think that fathers will relate to it? I'd appreciate any comments you could give to me. Thanks for your help.

Father
by Kathy Stemke

His sanctuary’s found at sea
With nature he is one

He sails with the wind on silent waves
And his spirit is free

Eyes bluer than the bluest ocean
Gaze, lost in thought

Wistfully, he ponders unfulfilled dreams
And questions the success of his life

If only he knew....
How I feel

Shakespeare, Einstein, Da Vinci, Bach,
To name just a few great men

Father,
Their merits are meaningless and trite
when compared to you.

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

LAST DANCE: A POEM ABOUT MY DAD!

Please read this first draft poem about my dad. Leave a comment and tell me what you liked and what could be improved. Thank you for your imput.

Last Dance
by Kathy Stemke

A lifetime filled with memories
Your life, your smile, your glance
You tenderly reached out to me
To share with you this dance.

You gave to me the best you had
Your sweat, your joy, your tears
You sacrificed to dance with me
You pledged your heart for years

You danced with me the day I wed
So proud, relieved, and sad
We hugged and swayed around the room
With tears of joy, dear Dad

You taught me to stand tall and fight
With strength, and skill, and force
To persevere in all I do
And firmly stay the course

Even in my darkest hours
You came, advised, and stayed
You held my hand all through the night
To God we looked and prayed

But now you dance the dance of death
My Dad, my friend, so brave
Triumphantly you leap and twirl
And dance into your grave

Your song is not yet over Dad
I’ll say goodbye and then
I'll keep you close inside my heart
Until we dance again

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com