Poems and Stories

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Where is My Father?

"Salute to Big Red"

Where is my father?

He is not here.

He has left this world

and us, we fear.


He walks and talks

and asks us where

he lives and why

he is not there.


He tries to leave

his own house and wife

To find his mother

who left this life.


He says we are not his

we beg him stay

he hides his meds

and sneaks away.


We follow him

as he wanders

down the road

to places yonder


He stops and stares

as through town he roams

But this is not his town

so we bring him home.


"Who is that woman?"

He asks in tears.

"It is your wife

of 50 years"


"That is not her,

mine was younger.

I must go find her

not stay here longer."


We calm him down

and take him to his bed

and watch in darkness

until he rests his head.


His wife crawls in

and holds him fast

He weeps and hugs her

and sleeps at last.


Tomorrow is

another day

like the last one

We fear and pray.


We ask God's help

but know not what to ask

to make him better

or make this his last...

Day on earth

So he can rest

and meet his maker

and feel his best


Where are my fathers?

Both in heaven above.

Some day I'll join them

Reunited in love.

written by the son-in-law of a man

called "Big Red' whom he calls father.

April 27, 2010


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