I remember the call, Dad's had a stroke,
I'm sorry but surely this is a joke!
He's just 44 and me 16, this isn't happening, must be a dream.
I'm sat in a friends house, what do i do?
Those tears I cried, every one for you.
I saw you in hospital laid in your bed, couldn't keep up with what was going on in my head.
Mam sat at one side, me at the other,then came your family including your brother.
We all gathered round had no words to say, Dad you looked awful in a terrible way.
Looking from the right side I'd have said you were asleep, but step around the left and everything had fallen in a heap.
A couple of days later you finally came around but the news they had to share would bring us crashing to the ground.
They chose their words carefully to try and ease the pain but no matter how they said it the conclusion was the same.
A secondary tumour was found upon your lung, the primary on your brain, your terminal battle had now begun.
A little more than a month away and you would be 45, and planning your birthday party made you push the pain aside.
We cleared the lounge of furniture and drink turned up galore,
I think you had decided this was your last, you'd have no more.
Friends turned up and partied and all night long you smiled,
The atmosphere amazing and not a single tear cried.
Shortly, a few weeks later you said your time had come,
we took you back to hospital and you weren't coming home.
Your family all around you, always at your side,
I fought to hold my tears back kept them all inside.
Finally for the last time your chest rose up once more, then as it fell and laid to rest my world came crashing to the floor.
That monster took you away from us, I hope to a better place and planning for your funeral was the task we had to face.
You told us what you wanted in every single way, everything would be perfect after all this was your day.
No tears did you want to see upon the faces of your friends and black it was a definite no you wanted colours and crazy trends.
You said you'd have the final laugh and yes i thought, you will
the plot we'd chosen for you to rest was up at the top of the hill.
Inside the church full of laughter, not an item of black in sight, this funeral was a party to celebrate your life.
Now each time i think of you few words I need to find, as more precious than Gold or Silver happy memories are brought to mind.
Author notes
For my Dad, I miss him with all my heart each and everyday.
Written September 20th, 2006
A contest entry
- Options, Options, Options by CrystalJet.
850 points, ended March 8, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - best prewrites by dory.
500 points, ended July 30, 2008, 89 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Cancer [PWs Allowed] by LeilaJayne.
400 points, ended October 17, 2008, 26 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 20 of 20
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Wow!!! brought tears to my eyes...beautifully written and expressed.
Thanks for sharing!
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Whoa, that sure was an emotional poem. I couldn't imagine how you felt whilst writing it. Hopefully it brought some comfort to you, letting it out, and letting your Dad know how you felt. I'm sure he loved your poem.
Thanks for sharing it, and good luck in the contest.
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This piece is filled with so much sadness and so much heartbreak, so like my own. I lost my mom to cancer this year too, and she was just 44 years old. I am very sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing this and helping me feel the pain that I have not been able to feel for such a long time...I am just starting to let the grief take over. Good luck always, and best wishes. Also, thank you very much for commenting on my poem. It meant so much to me. 
Love
Poetess99 -
Hi Jay Jay69
Such a beautiful poem about your Dad and all that happened!
Your imagery is excellent as I felt all that was happening was right in front of me!
I am sorry for your loss and this poem is a beautiful reflection of your love for him
Thank you for entering our contest!
Jasminerose
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awwwwwwwwwwww jay jay!!! that was so beautiful!!!! Excellent job i really enjoyed reading it!!! wow. im just... wow that was so good and so touching it almost made me cry! wow that poem was just so beautiful!!!
Chelsy
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A beautiful and touching story of your Dad the bravery and optimism he showed even at his time of death. I know he would be looking down smiling at your wonderful words!
The unforced rhyming was very enjoyable and most of all, the emotion and imagery with which you told the story
Good luck in the competition!
Lynda
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sincerely thanku sweetheart
much love
jayjay x -
this is a beautiful poem and im sorry for your lose. i cant imagine what it would be like to know that he was going to die although in a way i can relate. theres so much emotion put into it and i loved how there was no black at his funeral. it was beautiful. great poem and keep writing
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Unbelievably touching and sad.
I am sorry you lost your dad at such a young age! This would have made him proud I am sure, it is a wonderful tribute to him.
It is so beautifully written, so sad, it gave me shivers... made me want to cry for you. Looks like you had the same affect on a lot of people.
Amazing write! Absolutly beautiful and touches the soul.
Keep on writing hun.
Love Zoe xxx -
I am so sorry about your father. i think this is a wonderful tribute to his memory and really shows what kind of a guy he was. he didnt want any of you to suffer.
the whole no black at the funeral thing made me smile. its good to see a celebration of life. I know losing people is sad, but remembering all the good times you once had is a really good thing. this was a beautiful piece, thank you so much, and i wish the best to you and your family
also, thanks for a comment you left on my friends poem, we really appreciate it
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thanx for the words danny, sorry bout the tears didn't want anyone to cry.
jayjay x -
well done on your contest result, this was an honestly terrific poem, it flowed so well telling a heartbreaking story with so much detail and emotion. It forced tears to my eyes and I've lost the power to cry, thanks. x
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thanx so much Gaylene.
jayjay x -
thankyou so much for the read and comment, i never meant the tears once again.
i was only 16 and the world can be unfair but i live in rememberance of the times i had with my dad and not what i have missed from him not being here, i hope he's proud we got 2nd place once more thankyou
jayjay x -
A most wonderful entry and so deserving of your place in this contest. Congratulations
Gaylene
Edited on Sep 26, 6:29 because ''. -
awwww my gosh! that was such a touching poem! i'm so sorry that you had to go through this! and you were only 16? the world can be so unfair sometimes... when ya needed ya dad the most ya lost him! i'm really sorry for ya loss! that poem was extremely moving and it brought tears to my eyes also! nice write!
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Thanx Adam, didn't mean to bring the tears!
jayjay x -
Amazing...you depiction brought tears to my eyes...fantastic! You are gifted, I am so sorry for you loss... Good luck!
Adam -
thankyou for the kind words angel and unfortumately due to the way of the world everyone does have to face it at some point but what better a reason to enjoy life, its way too short!
jayjay x -
heart reaching
omg! this poem is just so touching...it makes me think of my dad and i love him so much...i cant imagine how hard that was and i know that i someday will.....
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