sendoff

my father broke the news today
my heart and stomach sank
your dad was given months to live
he fought to win
with strength that shone
through paper-thinning skin

if i know you
(like i think i still do)
you suffer alone
in silence
those around you thinking
"he’s alright”
with every bottle you drink

be strong, but soft
without, within
for all your father gave you
time played a trick
kept you reeling
bumping into tragic

how seemingly lucky
he stuck around
just long enough
for one last row
a ‘fuck you’ i’m not leaving yet
but suffering abounds

not free of cost
nor free of failure
but nevertheless, inspired
now comes sorrow
and celebration of life
as you ponder on tomorrow

we both played house
and fed the lie
we’ve told ourselves for years
a heart has many chambers
filled with fortitude and fear

two decades
like a bullet train
so fast we got off track
reflecting back
life has its ways
highlighting all we lack

for what comes next?
some say they’ve seen
what lies beyond the realm
something after
willed to be
unknown, the final chapter

though, physically
he may be gone
his spirit still remains
his greatest pride
family time
the legacy left behind