Summary
"Special Hero" is a heartfelt poem by Christina M Kerschen that celebrates the unconditional love between a child and a father. The poem is written from the perspective of a child who recalls being held in the father's arms as a baby, feeling safe, loved, and protected. The child expresses deep gratitude for having such a loving father and considers the father's love to be a divine blessing sent from above. The poem culminates with the child declaring the father as a "special hero" and emphasizing that their love is everlasting.
The parallel reading poem "Only a Dad" by Edgar Albert Guest complements the main poem by presenting the father's perspective. It portrays a hardworking, ordinary father who endures daily struggles, toils without complaint, and silently bears life's hardships -- all for the love of his family. Despite being "neither rich nor proud," the father is celebrated as "the best of men" for his selfless dedication to his children.
Themes
- Unconditional Paternal Love: The central theme of both poems is the boundless, selfless love of a father for his children. The father's love is described as special, divine, and everlasting.
- Gratitude and Appreciation: The child in "Special Hero" expresses deep gratitude for having a loving father, feeling lucky to have been given such a parent.
- Safety and Protection: The father is portrayed as a protector who keeps the child safe from harm, holding the child tenderly in his arms.
- Divine Blessing: The father's love is seen as something heavenly -- "sent to me from someplace up above" -- suggesting it is a gift from God.
- Silent Sacrifice: In "Only a Dad," the theme of quiet, uncelebrated sacrifice is prominent. The father works tirelessly, faces hardships without complaint, and bears the "whips and scorns of life" for his family.
- Heroism in Ordinary Life: Both poems elevate the ordinary father to the status of a hero, showing that true heroism lies in everyday acts of love and sacrifice.