This last good bye

To my father (Paul Eugenie Pop) who has such a short time left to live. You gave me life and inspired me to live. You made the part of me that that grows everyday.

This last good bye

 

 

Upon the ashes of dreams and deeds,

lies my dearest friend…

my father.

 

Upon the memories of his life,

hope remains.

 

He was not a man large in life,

but he was larger than life.

 

Life showed through his eyes in the way he spoke,

gentle was his hand when it could have been strong,

strong was his hand with compassion.

 

Across my memories of him,

I see what he tried to teach me,

I hear the lessons in his breath.

 

Now his road has ended,

softly as the first springs wind,

gently as the summers breeze.

 

 Dear father,

through the springtime of your life,

you learned how the stars can shine so bright.

 

Through the summer of your life you learned,

that the stars can be touched.

 

Upon the winter of your life,

our hearts are warmed by the wisdom of your words and deeds,

and your collections of stars.

 

Your passing will leave a great space to be filled.

 

Let your spirit soar over the hills,

through the valleys,

and softly caress the shores of our dreams.

 

You have been in places you never knew you visited,

nor dreamed you ever would touch.

 

But with each generation they will know you more and more,

with each breath they will learn to be strong.

 

Gentle is your hand that will shape their lives,

softly given wisdom will guide them through the trials and tribulations of their lives.  

 

And to the sea they will grow and grow.

 

Let no man nor woman,

say that you were less than a hero.

 

As night falls on this day,

the whip-poor-will will sing your song,

as the stars will make space for a new one that will shine this night.

 

We will travel through life with three sets of foot prints,

one is ours, the other yours,

and the third behind us is God's.

 

Dear father,

your whispered words shall forever guide us,

along the trails of the life that we travel.

 

Though you are not here in body,

your spirit is stronger in the wind that whispers in our ear,

stronger than you could ever know.

 

To the sea and beyond I will travel to be with you,

in this life and the next.

 

Let the snowflake of your spirit,

brush my soul and make it whole.

 

Let the memories of your life,

make the hearth of future generation,

glow beyond the fading sky.

 

To this road you have laid before me,

I might falter,

I might lose sight of it,

I may lose my way.

 

But I will find my way,

with your guiding light.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Eleanor]

This is a beautiful piece of writing!
A great tribute to someone not famous but the best for his own son. The best way in which we can see love is our parents love. Their words filled with wisdom are so valuable. We may fail in life but they are always there to guide us. Sometimes while growing up we forget that they are growing old too. I can feel your love and respect towards him.
Stay strong! :)

[ron]

Thank you. He is and always will be the corner stone of my life.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a stirring tribute to a man who might not be famously great...but he is nonetheless great...and was an inspiration and always will be...

[ron]

Thank you Jacob. I know a lot of people think their father pr mother is great, and they would be right. My dad served in the Marine Corps. And in my eyes he is as big as any on Mount Rushmore. He is the founding Father of my life.

[Northern Woman]

This made my day. Thank you so much for sharing! I'm sorry about your loss :'(

[ron]

Thank you Northern Woman. He is not gone yet, but soon I fear.

[DoormanDan]

I'm 100% certain that if your father could read this, he would be proud of you, sir. This poem is truly something beautiful, and is a great tribute. I'm sorry for your loss.

[ron]

Thank you Dan. I have been thinking wither to show him this or not. I don't know if it would be appropriate or not.

[Traci]

Ron, this is a beautiful tribute. May your time together, and cherished memories give you strength and guidance. Stay strong, and know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Much love.

[ron]

Thank you Traci. Your thoughts and prayers are very welcome.

[Vidya Bacchus]

So sorry about your dad Red.This is such a sweet and touching tribute.Be strong my friend ,

[Sami Khalil]

Sad to have those last goodbyes. A wonderful tribute to your wonderful dad...:)....................

[ron]

I am just happy I know his time is near so I can cherish the little time he has left...if that doesn't sound to morbid or out of place.

[jjwilbourne]

This poem was really touching. I loved it.

[ron]

Thank you jj.

[R Smith]

A wonderful tribute to your Father Ron, he sounds like a great man, a beautiful poem that will bring us all to think of our loved one's and the time we have or had with them, thank you :)

[ron]

Thank you Richard. Yes he is a great man, small in the world but big in life.

[Matching Socks]

Gosh, Ron.
This breaks my heart.
We have to enjoy the time while we can.
Hang in there. Beautiful poem.

[ron]

Thank you Ana. Yes we do.