LETTER TO DAD

In a few more days we will celebrate Father’s Day. My heart grieves for those whose only memories of their father are bitter ones.  That is not how life was meant to be. As for me, my childhood experienced the poverty of the Great Depression, the dangers of World War Two and hard labor imposed on me in the Post War years. And yet, my memories of my father are those of a kind, self sacrificing man who did his best to protect and provide for his family. My letter to him should have been written while he was still with us. Alas, it did not happen. I am convinced that he always knew  I loved him. It would have been nice if I could have told him in words, expressed in these  lines.

LETTER TO DAD

Dad, I am still your loyal son.
Though I stand not at your grave,
My love for you is  not  undone.
It will survive this temporal wave.

Your memory is engraved on my heart.
And though your soul soared to heaven,
It’s knit to mine and will not part.

‘Twas love since I  opened my infant eyes .
It grew strong as the years passed by,
And will transcend my own demise.

Though I failed in youthful indiscretions,
My love for you ne’er diminished,
Nor did your own tender affections.

Your prayers for me found their answer.
Like the prodigal son I came to my senses,
Though you cruelly had to succumb to cancer.

How is it that a good man like you
Had to endure such pain and early death?
It’s an aching mystery I can ne’er construe.

I was your first born, your only son.
I raised five sons, who bear your name.
Your name they proudly carry on.

The values you imparted I’ve made my own.
Taught them well  in my own home.
Will live by them, till I stand before God’s throne.

I  honor you  this Father’s Day.
Though earth may move and heaven  sway,
My love burns bright, will ne’er decay.
It will surpass, transcend, this man of clay.

VP             JUNE 14, 2008

PASSAGE OF TIME

When a man is retired he has a bit more time to ponder upon the brevityof life and its meaning. Here is a little poem I wrote for a family friend whose mother died of cancer. Whether one believes in God or not, here is a legacy which should bring a measure of comfort to all who are bereaved.

PASSAGE OF TIME

When we are young, we feel so strong
And think that life can never end.
But as we walk and sing along
We find that much of life is spent.

Like leaves, dropped from the ancient trees,
We leave the dross of life behind,
And place our hopes in scattered seeds,
That root in earth to replace their kind.

The ancient trees will gradually die,
To slowly fall, to sink in earth.
The seeds grow up to reach the sky
To celebrate their new found birth.

Loved ones too, eventually die
As fate decides, we all must do.
Their children bless them with the tie,
That keeps their memory fresh and true.

VP Dec. 17. 2006