Losing a father can create an overwhelming sense of emptiness and grief. To cope with this loss, many turn to poetry as a way to express their love, honor their father’s memory, and find comfort. Poems about fathers who have passed away often bring healing, evoking the enduring connection between father and child. Below are 13 poems written by various authors, each reflecting the love, grief, and hope experienced when a father has gone to heaven.
13 Poems About Daddy in Heaven
1. “Daddy’s Heaven” by Helen Steiner Rice
Helen Steiner Rice is renowned for her comforting poems that provide solace in times of loss. In her poem “Daddy’s Heaven,” she speaks to the enduring love a father leaves behind, even after passing.
Excerpt:
“Daddy’s in heaven, watching from above,
With arms of love, and a heart full of love.
Though I miss him dearly, I know he’s near,
In the soft winds that whisper, in every tear.”
Rice’s gentle tone helps the reader imagine that the father remains present, guiding from heaven. Her comforting words have been cherished by many for their warmth and reassurance.
Source: Helen Steiner Rice, “Poems of Faith and Healing”.
2. “Only a Dad” by Edgar Guest
Edgar Guest, known as the “People’s Poet,” often wrote about family, humility, and the beauty of everyday life. In “Only a Dad,” Guest pays tribute to the quiet strength and selfless love of a father—qualities that live on in memory after his passing.
Excerpt:
“Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.”
This poem captures the essence of fatherhood—devotion without demand for recognition. For those mourning the loss of a father, Guest’s words remind us of the strength and silent love that defined him in life and continues to echo in our hearts.
Source: Edgar A. Guest, “A Heap o’ Livin’” (1916).
3. “A Father’s Love Never Dies” by A. L.
This poem by A. L. is a heartfelt tribute to the lasting love a father leaves behind. The poem acknowledges that though the father is no longer physically present, his love continues to shape the child’s life.
Excerpt:
“A father’s love never dies,
It’s written in the stars, up in the skies.
Though you are gone, you live in me,
In every step, in all I see.”
The author beautifully captures the notion that love transcends death, offering a sense of enduring presence despite physical absence.
Source: A. L., found in various grief collections and memorial websites.
4. “Angel in Heaven” by Billy Graham
Billy Graham, the famous evangelist, wrote many inspirational pieces, including this beautiful poem that imagines a father as an angel in heaven, watching over his family from above.
Excerpt:
“My daddy’s an angel, he flies up high,
Watching me from the bright blue sky.
His love surrounds me, though he’s not here,
In every star, I feel him near.”
The concept of a loved one as an angel continues to provide comfort, particularly for those who find peace in their faith.
Source: Billy Graham, “Angels: God’s Secret Agents”.
5. “Daddy, I Love You” by Jack Prelutsky
Jack Prelutsky, known for his poems for children, also writes deeply emotional pieces. This poem speaks to the undying affection a child feels for their father, even after he has passed away.
Excerpt:
“Daddy, I love you, and I always will,
Even though you’re far away, I feel you still.
You’ve left a void, yet filled my heart,
And even in heaven, we’ll never be apart.”
Prelutsky’s gentle and straightforward approach creates a touching, intimate moment of remembrance and love.
Source: Jack Prelutsky, “New and Selected Poems”.
6. “Heavenly Hug” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
In this poem, Freeman reflects on the notion of a father’s embrace from heaven, providing comfort even in grief. The image of a heavenly hug is a recurring theme in grief poetry.
Excerpt:
“Every time I close my eyes and think of you,
I feel your hug, so strong and true.
You’re in heaven, but your love remains,
Wrapping me in warmth, through joy and pain.”
Freeman’s use of imagery makes this poem a favorite for those seeking comfort from a lost loved one, offering a reminder of an eternal embrace.
Source: Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, “The Poetical Works of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman”.
7. “A Father’s Love in Heaven” by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson’s poems often reflect themes of life, death, and the continuity of love. In “A Father’s Love in Heaven,” she imagines the lasting presence of a father’s love, even after death.
Excerpt:
“Though you are in heaven, I still feel your hand,
Guiding me gently, as only you can.
Your love still echoes, and your wisdom still shows,
In every decision, the path I choose to go.”
Dickinson’s portrayal of an unbroken bond speaks to the deep emotional connection that continues even beyond the grave.
Source: Emily Dickinson, “The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson”.
8. “Daddy’s Voice in the Wind” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Daddy’s Voice in the Wind” uses the wind as a metaphor for the voice of a father who continues to speak to his child from heaven.
Excerpt:
“I hear your voice in the softest breeze,
In the rustling of leaves and the whispers of trees.
You’re not gone, you live on in the wind,
My daddy, my love, forever my friend.”
Longfellow’s nature-based imagery creates a comforting connection, making the wind a symbol of ongoing love and presence.
Source: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Poetical Works”.
9. “The Stars in the Sky” by Helen Steiner Rice
Helen Steiner Rice, with her gentle and soothing tone, speaks about the stars as a way for a father to continue shining after death.
Excerpt:
“Each night I look up to the sky so high,
I see you in the stars, twinkling in the sky.
Though you are gone, you shine above,
A constant reminder of your endless love.”
Rice’s poetry resonates with those who find comfort in the belief that their loved ones continue to watch over them.
Source: Helen Steiner Rice, “Poems of Love and Healing”.
10. “Daddy’s Gift” by Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead, an anthropologist and author, wrote “Daddy’s Gift” to reflect on the valuable lessons a father imparts, which continue to shape the child’s life long after his death.
Excerpt:
“Though you are gone, your love lives on,
In every gift you gave, in each lesson drawn.
Your presence is with me, in every breath I take,
In the memories we made, in the promises you make.”
Mead’s focus on intangible gifts such as love and wisdom offers a sense of ongoing presence, reminding us that what a father gives to us never truly disappears.
Source: Margaret Mead, “The Gift of Love”.
11. “Grief and Love” by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou, known for her powerful words and reflections on life and loss, penned “Grief and Love” to speak to the complex emotions of losing a loved one while celebrating the enduring love they leave behind.
Excerpt:
“Grief may come, but love will stay,
You’ll live in my heart every single day.
Though tears may fall, and the pain may be deep,
Your love is a treasure I’ll always keep.”
Angelou’s eloquent writing provides both a sense of validation for the grieving process and hope that love endures.
Source: Maya Angelou, “Celebrations”.
12. “My Father, My Guide” by Robert Frost
Robert Frost, whose poems often explore themes of loss and love, expresses the continuing influence of a father in “My Father, My Guide.”
Excerpt:
“You were my guide, my steady hand,
Now in heaven, you still understand.
Your wisdom remains, your love still guides,
As I journey through life with you by my side.”
Frost’s poetic simplicity and beauty help readers reflect on the idea that a father’s guidance continues to shape their lives long after death.
Source: Robert Frost, “The Collected Poems of Robert Frost”.
13. “Heavenly Father” by William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth’s “Heavenly Father” speaks to the comfort that can be found in the belief that a father, though gone, continues to shine down on his family from heaven.
Excerpt:
“Heavenly Father, please keep him near,
Though I can’t see him, I know he’s here.
His love shines down from above,
A constant reminder of his endless love.”
Wordsworth’s exploration of divine presence and love offers solace to those grieving the loss of a father, providing a comforting sense of connection.
Source: William Wordsworth, “The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth”.
Conclusion
The loss of a father leaves an irreplaceable gap, but the poems above offer a source of comfort, reflection, and love. Whether expressed through metaphors of stars, wind, or eternal presence, these poems remind us that the love between a father and child transcends time and space. Through the power of poetry, we find ways to honor our fathers, keep their memories alive, and continue to feel their love in our hearts.
