His brown
coat fading from long wear
clutching it tighter
sheltering from the cold air.
Slow motioned
decided steps..
His heels grinding the old wood floor
starting and stopping
farther than before.
Trying to decide the most comfortable chair,
corner of my eye
capturing his shadowed face
trying hard not to stare.
My own acknowledgment in early youth
crippling me leaving me confused.
Half pass seven on the wall..
That October crispness in the air..
My fine hour with him was near.
He displayed bravery and wisdom
often called deep from his soul..
Memorized by heart.
Every ounce of living
served him well till he was very old.
Wrinkles from laughter
eyes conclusive..
I knew what he had to say
was all true not elusive.
I was wondering if he saw..
In the dim light
Me
barely tall.
Holding on to his every word
maturity I knew I was lacking,
I made up for long hours by that fire crackling.
My innocent pensive looks
reading his soul like it was my favorite book.
He continued to talk of
Those years..
Leaning over I could barely hear.
Whispering he
softely he said..
We have to live like a willow tree.
knowing exactly when to bend..
When to lay your branches down and rest.
We have to be willing to open our arms and grant the sun..
permission to shine in our soul,
in return..
Constant thankful..
Recognition.
Never dwindleing even in despair.
That..
I placed in
my
shirt..
Left pocket close to the heart,
for safe keeping.
Every once in a while,
His eyes got lost in my reaction.
I knowing..
His wisdom defined reason.
And I,
was going to be better for what..
He was giving.
Pauseing he said,
The sun will shine behind us
when we turn to see,
we have to realize it is free.
It never was ours to borrow or own...
It's not given.
It is shared.
We need to cherish everything living..
Everything here.
Carelessness and haste
leaves behind shallow souls
tarnished beauty years left unseen and told.
All of this didn't make sense to me
until I was full grown.
It was what he said after that..
Hitting me
brick after brick knocking me into..
Years farther down that road...
The very path his soul imposed.
My eyes starting to tear,
him speaking these words..
Every generation before us.
He said..
Are all connected in this life like a big tapestry..
Neatly sewn together..
This gift our own.
Each thread continues to bare life..
Are we not obligated to take care of it
forever?
It is our soul that never dies.
Look closer he said..
You'll see yours
you'll see mine
In those threads...
Weaved in time.
Enthralled and interested
I paused to listen..
This was going to be
my poised life's lesson.
We didn't have much back then
he went on to say,
But we..
Trusted each other
and weren't afraid.
Show'd love and kindness...
On any given day.
We kept that deep in our hearts.
It was the one thing we all were certain of.
We never lost sight on what was right,
we never put anyone above the other,
we helped each other morning noon and night.
No matter how tired, we only smiled.
We weren't afraid to shake hands or give hugs
when saying goodbye.
Practically tripping to say hi.
Smile when we greeted
cried when we needed.
Giving more taking less.
Long conversations,
never giving it a second thought..
If we were going to all pull..
Together or not.
These are the days I miss the most.
I think of these words often
looking into tomorrow..
Loud seconds of a clock
ticking down his labored sorrow..
Embarrassed
smiled instead realizing what he just said.
I knew he had said what was really in his heart
I hugged him took his hand
rest now is all I could say.
Shedding those heavy tears
all too quickly passing..
Leaving behind the missing years.
His pipe old and dusty
sitting in the same place..
Every once in a while I can hear
his words still repeating..
His loving heart
beautifully beating..
Deep within me.
Honorable mention
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