Tom Oakley

His name was Mr. Oakley.
He used to go about quite grumpily.
Neighbors would say,
"He is set in his ways,
And keeps to himself most of his days."
Forty years ago he lost his wife,
Her name was Rachael and scarletina took her life.
He had lived alone since that tragic event,
Except for his dog Sammy, a beloved pet.

One day Tom heard a knock at the door,
On his step was a boy who looked bruised and poor.
Mr. Oakley took the scared evacuee in,
The bond that they shared was soon to begin,
The boy, William Beech, called Mr. Oakley, Mr. Tom,
Will was fortunate to be away from his psychotic Mom.
Man and boy each came out of their shell,
They liked each other really quite well.
Mr. Tom taught Will to read and write,
And tucked him into bed each night.
Now the neighbors would say quite jokingly,
"Look at that Tom Oakley!
What has gotten into him?
He is happy and out,
Around and about,
All the time with that boy!"

One day Will was taken away from Mr. Tom,
Soon, Mr. Tom knew there was something very wrong,
He went to London in the blink of an eye,
And found Will, about to die,
Mr. Tom nursed him back to health,
Soon Will was his old self.
News was received that Will was now without a mother,
Tom and Will could not live without each other.
There was one thing to do so neither would be sad,
Mr. Tom adopted Will,
Now his new name is "Dad".

by Michelle F.

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