even so,

Thick-skinned,hard-headed

over critical perfectionist,

wore oil-stained

workman clothes

and ruled 4 kids with iron fist.

Fathered young

loved to cook

took us cycling every week,

raised by belt

couldn’t read or write

but worked damn hard for us kids.

No love expressed

no hugs at night

his whole life

spent in sacrifice,

he didn’t always

get it right

but even so,

I still love him.