by Barbara Klinman
It is no chore, be assured,
to rouse you from darkened thoughts.
To recall together times past,
when all those in memory were vibrant
and full of decision.
I remember you as daredevil,
when viewed from my provincial, childish perch;
a wide-eyed participant, insisting to ride again
on the coaster, or, heading out too far into the
surf,
frightening us all on the sand until you
reappeared.
I was afraid of losing you then;
I am afraid of losing you now.
The fears of my childhood were short-lived,
quickly replaced by assurances;
I was easily bolstered by your strength.
The fears of today are lonelier, pervasive to my
very core.
There is no longer a feeling of forever,
and the strengths are faltering, at best.
We stir a mix of nostalgia and talk of today;
Sweet memories swirling with blunt honesty of
your plight.
In the spirit of all that has led us to now,
we carry on.
For Dad, April 2002
Further reproduction is by written permission
only. If you have a poem you would like us
to consider for publication, send it to
nancy@caregiver.com
