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I STILL SEE HIM I still see him standing there, sunlight in his hair, as he works the land all day, I say, "Daddy, will you please help me ride my bike like you promised yesterday?" He says, "No, I am sorry but I've still got work to do. And besides, it won't hurt if you wait one more day or two." And I know that my protests will fall on deaf ears, so I just hide my tears. I still see him sitting there, in that old green chair, staring out in space, I say, "Dad, come on outside and talk with me awhile, let the sun shine on your face." He says, "No, I am tired and the news is just coming on. And besides, I must be here at five when your Mom gets home." And I know that it's useless to say any more, so I just close the door. Why don't you listen when I'm talking to you? Where are you going? I'm not even halfway through. How will I get there with no one to guide me? What will I do if you don't stand beside me? I still see him lying there, as I offer up a prayer to a man I hardly knew, I say, "Daddy, it's all right, I learned to ride my bike in spite of you." "And today, when my son asked me if we could talk awhile, I said 'Yes,' and the look on his face would have made you smile." "So you see, you have taught me something after all. Can you hear me call?" Why don't you listen when I'm talking to you? Where are you going? I'm not even halfway through. How will I get there with no one to guide me? What will I do if you don't stand beside me? And I know in my heart that he's heard me this time, and I just had to cry, I just had to cry. By: Frank McChristian Submitted By: Lise Ann Ruggeri |
"With flowers You paint, O Giver of Life! With songs You give color." -- NEZAHUALOYOTL (1402 - 1472), NAHUATL FLOWER SONGS (Told by Aztecs; recorded by 16'th Century Spanish friars) |