Almost like he was waiting for her
He was a fireman
Had the greenest Irish eyes
that lit up every face in front of him
A smile too
to let you know he knew
just how important you were
as he opened the door
to welcome you in
never to let you go
A Newarker his entire life
He fought the riot fires without prejudice
more concerned with people
trapped in their homes
than adding malice to hate
He was a Navy man
blown by the cruelty of war
An ally to his daughter’s quest
of ending Viet Nam
A lifelong Democrat
we shared our politics
in the TV room each night
The last five years of his life
I lived with him
My puppies snuggled up to him each day
I was there when my mom died
helping in any way I could
to ease their fifty-five year break
When he came home with hospice
I was able to be his aide,
Wanting so much
to die in his own home
was something he always wished for,
I was grateful to be there
On the night of June 29, 2009
as my father lay in an all day slumber
the doorbell rang
My son and his wife arrived
carrying their two week baby Layla
in their arms.
Miraculously my father awoke
his green eyes still dancing
his smile so vividly real
We placed Layla, his first great granddaughter
in his arms
As he stroked her soft face
he said “the circle of life is complete”
The next day, on June 30th, my father died
pattyv
Oh Patty, what a lovely and moving tribute to your father. Thank goodness for the timing of your son’s visit with your granddaughter.
I was born in Charleston where my dad was stationed during the war, and a few months later my paternal grandfather became seriously ill in New York. My father drove up to see his father but arrived too late. He carried that pain of regret with him all his life.
Had the picture all these years and first the date arrived and then the prompt. I just knew I had to try to tell it the best I could, not only for my family but for Layla. I know how blessed I was to be with both my parents before they passed, so I really understand how your dad must have felt.
This brought tears to my eyes. Such a lovely tribute to your father, and such a beautiful ending with a complete circle of life. How fortunate for all of you to have had that in your life.
Yes Khati very fortunate. Thank you for your response. Telling my story and trying to keep it in some whacky kind of poetry form is awkward for me, so your compliment goes a long way.
This was a moving tribute to a man who meant so much to you and others, with those vivid green eyes. You were there for him at the important moments of his life, but how moving that, even in extremis, he could share that last moment with his first great granddaughter; truly the circle of life completed at that singular moment in each other’s lives.
What a beautiful story, Patti. I have tears in my eyes. A perfect example of the circle of life, seeing his great-granddaughter allowed your father to let go.
You know Laurie, I never thought of it like that, but yes definitely. He had to see her first and then he was able to relax and leave. Just didn’t realize it until you said it.
Your poetic paean brought me an enhanced appreciation for the first time we open our eyes. I have thought of this while watching my puppies. The eyes reveal how we recognize our world. Your circle of life presented through the feeling of the eyes moved my eyes to tears. Your poetic ability is fantastic. I look forward to more.
Wow Rich, you bought such a new revelation to the poem, your reply made me visualize the picture. How Layla was so intently looking at my Dad made me believe she could see him, perhaps? So thankful for this perspective.
For some reason, your poems often elude my efforts to comment upon them except to say how beautiful they are.