My dad ….

My dad…

My dad was the best dad I could ever have had,
He was always cheerful, never angry or sad.
He was kind, and patient he’d to talk to me all the time,
He’d told me stories, he taught me to write in rhyme.

We went on long walks, he showed me nature at its best,
He read me fairy stories, when I went to bed for my rest.
He looked after me all through my growing up,
Waited up for me, whatever time I showed up.

He gave me away the day I got wed,
Held my hand as down the aisle he led.
He was a thoughtful loving husband to my lovely mom,
He was a devoted granddad to my daughter and son.

My mom became very ill, she was frail and dying.
Doctor could do no more, shaking his head and sighing.
I called to see my dad every day,
I tried to help him in every way.

He started to drink, just a little each day,
Said it helped him cope, was the only way.
But the drinking took hold, he drank more and more,
He stumbled and fell, was black,  blue and sore.

He wouldn’t admit to the amount he drank,
But he got into debt, with loans from his bank.
The day came when he clearly couldn’t cope,
I talked to him, but really there was no hope.

He had fallen and had a badly broken arm,
He was tired and weary, he’d lost his charm.
I asked him what he wanted to do,
Told him the choice was up to him.

“I want to be with your mam, where I belong”
He was now so ill, I knew it wouldn’t be long.
So now they are together forever and a day.
I miss them both so much, what more can I say.

By Pauline Round

26th July 2017