Fatherhood

Born of naught,I sought to become,
one who'd acheived a certain sum,
of small success and even some renown,
I find myself old now,and,like a clown,
wear fake smiles to hide my tears.
regretting only wasted years,
of foolish self indulgence,I can't deny.
and forced to wonder how,and why,
those many dreams bore me no fruit,
and then remembered that I gave,
a worthy thought to mark my grave,
my children and their children too,
love me as I could never have hoped,
and I remembered far too late,
a father I have been,and can relate,
at that I have been a great success,
so victor,I,and damn the rest.