Teardrops For A Hero : A TRIBUTE TO MY WONDERFUL FATHER

It was at the break of dawn when the phone rang, my heart was pounding!!! Hours before, I had been talking to my dad over the phone to say goodbye with lots of sadness and depression, lots of tears in my eyes. I was hoping I could still see him before he passed... but, too late. I was not able to get a flight on time because his stage four cancer diagnosis came too quick and was a shock for all of us. There was not even a hint that he was suffering pains or symptoms of his illness.

One of my brothers got his cellphone near his ear and increased its volume so he could hear my voice. The whole family and relatives were there on his bedside. We had a long talk but I was the only one doing the talking though and he just listened with heavy breathing. Something prevented him to talk... it must have been the pain in his chest , I could hear his hard breathing. I asked his forgiveness that I left home to pursuit my own life in Europe. I talked to him about my mom, who was bedridden.. that she will be well taken care of and that he had nothing to worry about. My brother said that Dad shed tears while listening to what I was saying and said that my Dad had somehow a smile on his face as if he was contented that I was able to say goodbye to him.

And so, I composed the poem below as my tribute to him, my Dad... my hero.

A FAREWELL TO FATHER DEAREST

my brother´s words hit like daggers in my ears
tagged with anguish that no one hears
dark nights strangled hope that dares
what worse thoughts have I for tomorrow
the truth will soon betray as big a sorrow
thinking of you looking so pale
trembled me again and again in scale
now easily stood all my tears
repeated prayers helped not my fears
for all I knew time shapes the end
it was God´s commission I let it tend....

you´ve helped me shaped-up my dreams
though we´ve crossed so many streams
I remember so very well
whichever path I chose to seal
away from home was no ordeal
´tis your virtue so thankful I´ve been
for it guided my journey surely you´ve seen
our childhood days a bundle of joy
´twas your songs that we´ve dearly enjoyed
having you as father others gratefully admired
it was a fortune every child desired....

I stand before you oh father dearest
my heart bears a grief
fallen have I into uneven way a darkest
your life for me is such a brief
but your wisdom will give me a belief
knowing when each day a mischief
your thoughts are mighty a relief
go fort beloved soul for you have
the safest way the Creator had set
to our departed loved ones
which you´ve surely now met....

I ask of you bear this in mind
rest assured she´ll be fine
that mother to you I rhyme
she´ll be well taken care of all the time
I embrace and bid you now farewell
though there are still so many tales to tell
our stories will continue later if you will
in another life where you now dwell
so lay in peace with our beloved
soon we´ll be there with you embedded
for lapse in time the days will come
face to face rejoice we shall overcome.