Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

[mummsie]

I posted this in the writing workshop some weeks ago and have since made some changes so I thought I'd post it here.

Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?
Sue Pearce© July 2012

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 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 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 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 bacame a man
and bore a son who filled the void in lifes 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?.

[Rimeriter]

Sue, you've done it again.

Marvellous work.
Jim.

[mummsie]

Thank you Jim, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Cheers
Sue

[Maureen K Clifford]

It's good and that last line just nails it Sue - well done - definitely a keeper

Cheers

Maureen

[warooa]

Yeah love this, Sue. This poem was very highly regarded in the recent comp up here.

Cheers, Marty

[mummsie]

Thanks Maureen, it's sometimes just one line that can make a poem stand out.

Marty, what a wonderful opportunity ABC Far North Queensland has given us, I was very humbled that my poems were selected. Thank you again.

Cheers
Sue

[Robyn]

Wonderful Sue, brought a tear to my eye. Well done again!
Robyn

[mummsie]

Thank you Robyn

Sue