The Jester's Father

The Jester’s Father

Carl sat and sobbed beneath a mighty oak tree,
He didn’t know why, or how this came to be.
His young son was ill, would not live a full life,
And now it felt, like he’d been stabbed with a knife

His mind wandered, he wasn’t sure he could go on,
He was so strong, full of vitality and brawn.
He couldn’t understand how his son could be so sick,
He prayed for a sign, but nothing came quick.

He pleaded for answers, heard only silence,
He felt so alone, cast away on an island.
Desperate, he offered himself in his son’s place,
In that moment he learned it was his end he faced.

“Would you really give yourself in place of your son?”
The wind whispered, or was it the voice of someone?
“Your life for his, he’ll live to be a man,
He’ll die when you would have, it’s all in the plan.

This can be done, but is this what you want,
To leave Earth much sooner?” The voice seemed to taunt.
Carl searched for the answer, and knew what to do,
But asked one final favor, before he was through.

“Let my son be known as one who loves others,
Care for each, as if a sister or brother.
Allow him to be greatly loved and treasured,
Someone who all can look to with pleasure.”

Carl heard nothing in return, the wind had calmed down,
He rose to his feet, took a long look around.
Though no answer had come, he’d done what he could,
Knew that no matter what, things would be good.

He later hugged his wife 'n said, "I love you so."
She looked at him in wonder, and replied, “Ditto.
What brought this on, for I know you love me.”
He gazed at her, beauty was all he could see.

It was one week later that Carl died as he slept,
A pact had been made, his promise he kept.
An inquest was held, but no cause could be found,
He had left this Earth without making a sound.

His son Cameron would grow to be quite a man,
He would conquer his disease, it was part of the plan,
‘The Jester’ would be treasured and loved by all,
Live a life of love, for he’d heard his father’s call.

Jim Dorrell
11/23/12

If you're curious as to who The Jester is, may I recommend you read "The Jester" 

The rest of the poems that are about his life, love, and eventual death can be found in "The Jester Poems"