Father’s Day

“Nearly ten years now since I last wrote you a card,

No need to stand in queues and pick a poignant phrase or deliberate the verse,

No need to choose between socks, aftershave or another Cliff Richard CD,

No need to pick up the phone or curse the traffic, on another fatherless Father’s Day.

 

Nearly ten years now and they lied about time healing Dad, you’re still not here,

I can’t remember our last coherent words, a blessing perhaps to ease my mind,

I can’t recall angry words, that we so often exchanged, too much alike,

I can’t forget that I loved you more than any man I know.

Nearly ten years now and I still miss you so very, very much

The way you never let your inner feelings show, a hard man,

The way you worked so hard to provide the best for us all, unselfish,

The way you died, ensconced with both dignity and pride, a role model to the end.

Nearly ten years now and the grandkids are kids no more,

Would you believe me if I told you they remember you still?

Would you believe me if I told you they always will?

Would you believe me if I told you that I understand you now?

Nearly ten years and everything and nothing have not changed,

I miss the man I loved to hate, too afraid to show my love,

I miss the man who taught me more than he ever thought he could,

I miss the man who died much sooner than he should.

Nearly ten years now and you you’re never far from mind.

Nearly ten years now and I still rue the day you died,

Nearly ten years now and I still can hear you deep inside.

Nearly ten years, and yet it seems like yesterday.”