The last picture I took of my father
© Kathy James all rights reserved
We only have so many days to play this game, only so many days to enjoy our fathers. So treasure them while you can , when my father died 2 years ago a good friend send me this lovely poem by Brian Patten – to all of you who are reflecting on Father’s Day after losing you father this poem is for you.
A man lives for as long as we carry him inside us,
For as long as we carry the harvest of his dreams,
For as long as we ourselves live,
Holding memories in common, a man lives.
His lover will carry his man’s scent, his touch;
His children will carry the weight of his love.
One friend will carry his arguments,
Another will hum his favourite tunes,
Another will still share his terrors.
And the days will pass with baffled faces,
Then the weeks, then the months,
Then there will be a day when no question is asked,
And the knots of grief will loosen in the stomach,
And the puffed faces will calm.
And on that day he will not have ceased,
But will have ceased to be separated by death.
Love you Dad and miss you.
