She came after mother’s 17 hours of labor,
No C section, mistake of doctors, left my wife
With her damage, doctors sometimes not
Everything, consider this, “All I’ll give you,
Since you’ve asked is all our time together,” tale
Of rugged passages, the near misses, the broken
Messages, yet the controlling each other, never
We came together as choice, she decided we’d
Have child, promised only one out of belief
One to be healthy of heart, soul, mind, she is
To this day, healthy emotions, nothing wasted
In highest pitch of voice she had range alto,
Then soprano, choirs, beauty of her clarinet
Voice, tuning band, first chair S.D.S.U. band camp,
Now all music on hold as PhD comes to fore.
For all the high school students who honered
Music, she would study well beyond her first chair,
Phi Beta Kappa, Suma Cum Laud Japanese studies,
Then four years teaching English in Japan,
Later to distinguish in MFA University of Iowa
Japanese literary translation, full fellowship
On to PhD Japanese literature, comprehensive
Literature, teaching fellow, this study away
Coming back, Tumors, forced away, brought back,
Body Tumors since birth, benign yet close to death
Advised in genetic counseling against children,
Yet, Child far surpassing study, co-valedictorian,
Her every academic honor, from two gifted
Parents, dad BA, MA, Ed.S. MFA, gifted
Poet writing from heart, mom valedictorian
Mom BA cultural anthropology, Phi Beta Kappa,
Highest distinction, MA cultural anthropology,
30 years honors of career, Federal Government,
Par excellence employee, in thirty years of work
Never more than 2 to 7 days, maybe 25 days missed,
Brilliant daughter, Will 67-yr-old dad live to see daughter
With highest accolade, will dad see her PhD? Dad
Prays for mom and daughter, praying helps all.