Jef Harris Poems

06/19/2026

Fatherless Boys

Could it be I didn’t forgive him that day before he died?
I’ve lived that sermon all my life. I know how hard I tried.
Since my anger’s long subsided, and God restored my bleak soul.
Then why this crazy rush of woe? Why now, when I’m this old?

Fatherless boys. Fatherless boys.
Need trustworthy men to become one.
Fatherless boys. Fatherless boys.
Need strong moral men to become one.

I’ve never doubted who I am. I’ve made mistakes too.
First daughter fell into despair when her mother and I were through.
Of all the wrongs of that disaster, its misery, lies, and shame
Distrust followed infidelity. Sometimes mothers are to blame for

Fatherless girls. Fatherless girls.
Need strong, mindful men to affirm love.
Fatherless girls. Fatherless girls.
Need just, loyal men to confirm love.

My mother said, “Why bother!”
sisters cried, “We have no father!
Though he still lives, to us, he’s dead! To us, he’s dead!”

My past does not define me, and I don’t look for peace there.
My faith looks ever forward, and I take peace with me there to be
fatherless no more. Fatherless no more.
Fatherless no more. Fatherless no more.

© 2026, Jef Harris
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

06/19/2026

This year, my poem “Fatherless Boys” was included in the Baltimore Classical Guitar Society’s (BCGS) “Lullaby Project.” The poem became the lyrics for the song of the same title. Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer arranged my original music for guitar and mandolin. Cathy plays the acoustic guitar, and Marcy plays the mandolin. Click the URL or visit the link below to listen to Cathy sing the misnamed “Fatherless Children” in the left-hand column, at number 4.

https://www.bcgs.org/lullaby-project/

08/28/2025

My Sorrow

My sorrow sits still…
Only one place it may go.
The grave is healing.

Copyright © 2025 Jef Harris
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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03/31/2025

With Factinate – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

02/10/2025

With World of Dance – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 8 months in a row. 🎉 Because I love to 🕺🏾 and 🕺🏾!

11/21/2024

11/21/2024

“No one would write poems if the problem of poetry consisted in making oneself understood.” (Unknown)

True of false?

What do you think?

07/29/2024

Tanka 40

You may have noticed
all the cassettes on my shelf
music that cries out
to be remembered by me
when time to listen is nil

© Copyright 2024, Jef Harris
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED