HOMEWORK WEEK ENDING 4/6/12 "SIR, HAVE YOU SEEN MY DAD?"

[mummsie]

"SIR, HAVE YOU SEEN MY DAD?"

The crowd was cheering, waving as the boat docked by the quay.
He stood along his mothers 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 feel despair.
When suddenly a hand reached out and gently stroked 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 ago that very day a knock came to their door.
Informing them their loved one had gone missing in the war.
With hopeful hearts they waited....daily papers they perused.
Acceptance of the soldiers death was something they refused.

The lad was still 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 end "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 men are lost forever more".

The soldier shook the small boys hand and bid the lad farewell
and 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 together 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.
His last days spent submerged in thoughts that now were 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?"

Sue Pearce

[william williams]

she's a goodun Sue But Do You have To Twist My Heart Strings as I reiron my moist hanky

Bill Williams

[Maureen K Clifford]

Sue that is just terrific - seamless and poignant - well done

Cheers

Maureen

[mummsie]

Thank you Bill and Maureen. Another restless night saw me checking in on the homework topic. One look at that untouched photo and this came to mind.


Cheers
Sue