A few thoughts prompted by the death of my father. |
My hero’s gone There’s a clearing in the forest Of people I have known, A space among the books And letters from my home. The night-time sky is darker The stars seem more forlorn, And part of who I am today Has shed its mortal form. A hat, sun-faded, on it’s peg, The jacket by the door. The paint and pencils by the board As if expecting more. The grassy yard grows inch on inch New weeds invade the lawn, A ringing phone, a barking dog Unanswered, no-ones home. When our allotted time is run, Our ledger closed and signed, And we move on to who-knows-where Leaving earthly cares behind, It’s who we were that counts the most Not what we’ve spent or won, And memories like motes of dust Still linger in the sun. My hero’s passed away from us And life is changed for good, Questions that were never asked, Comments misunderstood, Must remain as such till the end of time Or, maybe there is more, And once again I’ll have the chance To knock upon his door. If this be so, then so it be If not, then let it go, For that’s the way of life and death And I will never know If he was proud of who I am And those that I call dear, But Dad, you were the very best I just hope that you can hear. |