Father's Day: Ode to fathers

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Father's Day is celebrated worldwide to honor fathers and fatherhood and to recognize the contribution that fathers make on their children's lives. The festival falls on June 16 this year.

Many poems have been penned to celebrate fathers and fatherhood since ancient times by poets around the world. Today we will share with you some fantastic ones by, for, and about dads.

Fathers in traditional Chinese culture have been noted as stern disciplinarians, who spur their kids on by enforcing strict rules at home to help them thrive and flourish.

Lu You (1125–1209), a prolific poet from the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), was one of such fathers. A line from one of his "to my son" poems has become a time-honored precept, which reads "What's learned from books is superficial after all. It's crucial to have it personally tested somehow."

Su Dongpo (1037-1101), is a great romantic poet from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Amid the ups and downs of his political career, the poet wrote a poem titled "On the Birth of His Son".

Here is a translation by the British sinologist and poet Arthur Waley.

Families, when a child is born
Want it to be intelligent.
I, through intelligence,
Having wrecked my whole life,
Only hope the baby will prove
Ignorant and stupid.
Then he will crown a tranquil life
By becoming a Cabinet Minister.

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After savoring fathers' love and wisdom in ancient Chinese poems, let's appreciate a western one, written by a child in honor of his father who adjusted the mixture of discipline and freedom when was growing up.

Before I Was Myself, You Made Me, Me        

                                Author unknown

Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.
Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.
Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

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Have you been inspired to think of other poetic lines in praise of father after reading these poems? What do you think is the best way to express love to your father on this special day? Share with us in the comment section. We will select up to 5 lucky readers and send each of them a limited edition gift.