Famous Fathers Day Poems

Buying Dad ties, power tools, ball game tickets, and other gifts for Father's Day are all acceptable ways to thank dad. We tend to go for more sentimental ideas, though writing on a poem on a card attached to a gift goes over pretty well too.

Your kids can easily write their own poems as well. Just start with "Roses are red, Violets are blue," and have them finish the rest. Even the grouchiest of dads can't resist a young child reading an ode to them.

Here are a few noted Fathers Day poems. Some are a bit corny; some are more literary. It's up to you to write your own card, or decide what fits your dad best.

Father's Day Poem #1: A Poem for Dads


Though we may not shower him with praise

Nor mention his name in song,

Though sometimes it seems that we forget

The joy he spreads as he goes along,


It doesn't mean that we don't know

The wonderful role that he has had.

And away down deep in every heart

There's a place that is just for Dad.....


– Anonymous



Father's Day Poem #2: Admiring fathers


Look at him there in his stovepipe hat,

His high-top shoes, and his handsome collar;

Only my Daddy could look like that,

And I love my Daddy like he loves his Dollar.


– William Jay Smith



Father's Day Poem #3: To My Father


It matters not that Time has shed

His thawless snow upon your head,

For he maintains, with wondrous art,

Perpetual summer in your heart.


– William Hamilton Hayne



Father's Day Poem #4: The Child Is Father to the Man



"The child is father to the man."

How can he be? The words are wild.

Suck any sense from that who can:

"The child is father to the man."



No; what the poet did write ran,

"The man is father to the child."

"The child is father to the man!"

How can he be? The words are wild.


– Gerard Manley Hopkins



Father's Day Poem #5: The Little Boy Lost


"Father! Father! where are you going?

O do not walk so fast.

Speak, father, speak to your little boy,

Or else I shall be lost."


The night was dark, no father was there;

The child was wet with dew;

The mire was deep, & the child did weep,

And away the vapor flew.


– William Blake



Father's Day Poem #6: Anecdote for Fathers


I have a boy of five years old;

His face is fair and fresh to see;

His limbs are cast in beauty's mould,

And dearly he loves me.


One morn we strolled on our dry walk,

Our quiet home all full in view,

And held such intermitted talk

As we are wont to do.


My thoughts on former pleasures ran;

I thought of Kilve's delightful shore,

Our pleasant home when spring began,

A long, long year before.


A day it was when I could bear

Some fond regrets to entertain;

With so much happiness to spare,

I could not feel a pain.


The green earth echoed to the feet

Of lambs that bounded through the glade,

From shade to sunshine, and as fleet

From sunshine back to shade.


Birds warbled round me - and each trace

Of inward sadness had its charm;

Kilve, thought I, was a favored place,

And so is Liswyn farm.


My boy beside me tripped, so slim

And graceful in his rustic dress!

And, as we talked, I questioned him,

In very idleness.


"Now tell me, had you rather be,"

I said, and took him by the arm,

"On Kilve's smooth shore, by the green sea,

Or here at Liswyn farm?"


In careless mood he looked at me,

While still I held him by the arm,

And said, "At Kilve I'd rather be

Than here at Liswyn farm."


"Now, little Edward, say why so:

My little Edward, tell me why." --

"I cannot tell, I do not know." --

"Why, this is strange," said I;


"For, here are woods, hills smooth and warm:

There surely must some reason be

Why you would change sweet Liswyn farm

For Kilve by the green sea."


At this, my boy hung down his head,

He blushed with shame, nor made reply;

And three times to the child I said,

"Why, Edward, tell me why?"


His head he raised - there was in sight,

It caught his eye, he saw it plain --

Upon the house-top, glittering bright,

A broad and gilded vane.


Then did the boy his tongue unlock,

And eased his mind with this reply:

"At Kilve there was no weather-cock;

And that's the reason why."


O dearest, dearest boy! my heart

For better lore would seldom yearn,

Could I but teach the hundredth part

Of what from thee I learn.


– William Wordsworth

Ask any father what he wants for Father's Day, and the answer will be "Not another tie or golf club". It's easier to buy gifts for moms, considering there are so many options available for women. But when it comes to buying Father's Day gifts for dads, it's easy to run out of ideas. What will dads like to get on Father's Day? Well, it depends. Does your dad like to read? Or is he one of those types who can spend hours with maps? Here are some ideas for great customized Father's Day Gifts sure to please your dad.