it's been twenty years

“Lynn” pastel portrait of a blonde woman in black

by Jill Stefani Wagner, PSA

it’s been twenty years, daddy

i’ve aged more than the calendar shows

not sure you would even know me now

even the tulips in my garden are drooping

they reflect my melancholy 

my dance card has only smudged memories

of the days when i heard your laughter

saw that small space between your two front teeth

smelled your after shave

and felt your love

you always said,

“life is in the etceteras

so pilfer what you can”

so, yea,  i’ve stolen back my own life

but i’m just an orphaned thief now

there’s no one to remember 

the good old-bad old days

except me

and that’s little consolation today

because it’s been twenty years, daddy

Author's Note

missing my father after twenty years....such a long time

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I don't think the loss ever diminishes. It becomes imbued within our bones, flowing within our veins. One thing is for sure, life goes on; and we will meet our end like a million gone before us and a million more to come. One can only sigh at the mortality of it all.

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, Linda. They live on in our memories. We are all mere mortals. Thank you. Lydi**

[Lydia Shutter]

Dear, I felt this one to the bones, you miss him, so much, another year passed by, and it has been so so long, but so fresh in your memory still, your dad, was a wise man... "“life is in the etceteras
so pilfer what you can” such a true saying, he lives further in you, and I can tell you through you, for you are a wonderful person. (that's not for nothing). :) smiling here. Such a beautiful write my dear friend. Very touching.

- Elisa

[Lydia Shutter]

He taught me so much, Eli....I feel his "sterkte door de jaren"....not sure I spelled that correctly, but you will understand. Thank you for the warm review. Your compassion is appreciated. Knuffels, Lydi***

Yes, schat, you wrote that very right! and I believe he did... Graag gedaan, jij bedankt, voor je liefdevolle hart, en je mooi gedicht. -knuffels-

[Lydia Shutter]

Als je schrijft me je Nederlandse woorden, het maakt me blij! Knuffels, Lydi**

Awe, het maakt mij ook erg blij om te schrijven in mijn moedertaal... en samen met jou! Heel veel liefs, en geniet van je ochtend lieverd -xx-

[Lydia Shutter]

(((((((((Elisa)))))))))))))))))) knuffels!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there is such a sadness to this...but what a philosophy..

"life is in the etceteras"

yes, it is isn't it?

it takes years and years to get over some losses.

i really felt this poem.

jacob

[Lydia Shutter]

Jacob, my dad passed while on vacation with my mom in Europe. I don't think I will ever fully get over the shock. He had a great philosophy in life. My mom used to tell me I was just like him. She meant I frustrated her....I took it as a compliment! :) Thanks so much for "getting" this one. Lydi**