Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

[mummsie]

Thought I'd re post this one as Anzac Day draws near
A reminder that children, too, carried the brunt of war

“SIR, HAVE YOU SEEN MY DAD”
Sue Pearce (c) 2013

The crowd was cheering, waving, as the boat docked by the quay
he stood along his mother’s side, a wee small lad was he
as soldiers filed down, one by one, he searched each face with care
then, scanned the photo in his hand- No-no resemblance there.

The hours passed, the tiny lad began to show despair
when, suddenly, a hand reached out and gently brushed his hair
a soldier, who’d been watching by asked “why so anxious lad?”
the small boy answered, questioning “Sir, have you seen my Dad?”

Two years before that very day, a knock came to the door
informing them their loved one had gone missing in the war
with hopeful hearts they waited…. daily papers they perused
acceptance of the soldier’s death was something they refused.

The lad was just a newborn when his father set to sea
he’d placed the photo by his crib, reminding him, that he
would always hold him in his heart, no matter, come what may
his letters home would always read “I love you more each day”.

The soldier knelt beside the lad and said “now let me see,
is this a photo of your Dad? How proud you all must be
for in his eyes there shines a pride that soldiers take to war
a sacrifice where many lives are lost--forever more”.

The soldier shook the small boys hand and bid the lad farewell
but, as he turned to walk away, the teardrops freely fell
for how on earth could he explain to sad and hopeful eyes
his father wasn’t coming home-he knew of his demise.

The days, the months, the years flew by. The boy became a man,
and bore a son who filled the void in life’s eternal plan
they shared a bond, so special-of the kind he’d been denied
but always in his heart he felt his father by his side.

The twilight years soon enveloped an aged and weary mind
where days were spent submerged in time, his thoughts, now, running blind
as frail hands clasped a photo, scanned by eyes forlorn and sad
his last words, whispered, to his son-“Sir,.. have you seen..my Dad?”

[Vic Jefferies]

Brilliant!

[vwalla]

Thanks Sue.
Reinforces the anguish of war that lasts forevermore
Val W

[Catherine Lee]

Gives me goose bumps Sue - a very sad and beautiful poem

[Neville Briggs]

Goodonya Sue. There's too many that could identify with that.

[Mal McLean]

Yeah, that hits the spot Sue.

Mal

[Heather]

Really lovely Sue.

Heather