Remembering

                                                                 REMEMBERING

Father's Day again

and you're not here

yet I would like to say

so many things

my love and gratitude

for all you did

throughout the years

always there for me

always patient, always kind

your hankie when I needed it

smelling of newsprint

mixing my watercolours

piggy-back rides

stories in bed

you asleep before us

the camping holidays

eating off your plate

- it always tasted better-

the spiders you never caught

but said you had

the simple pleasures

Sunday afternoon rides

in the countryside

stopping for an ice cream

your crazes – chocolate éclairs

wine making, bread

the way you made us feel special

on our birthdays

trusted and encouraged us

But also those awful times

watching the train pull out

taking you to London

the sooty smell of smoke

not knowing how long

the hospital would keep you

then sick with joy

to have you back

If only I could have you back

Now

I can't lay flowers for you

so I offer you this

my memories

Sunday, 21 June 2009