Eight years I've watched you slipping month by month
From the joy and energy of youth
To the constant hurt and lethargy of
unending illness.
You've lost much, too much for one so young.
Friends, school, sports, music,
Oh music! The sounds you created and lived for.
You've known loss that drives fear and anger
yet sometimes you still smile.
If I could take your pain as my own and free you
To live, and love, and laugh your hurt would
Be gone in a moment.
Alas, tis only a father’s dream,
A wish from the heart.
So all I can offer is to teach you.
Teach you to be strong, to endure, to hope
To always choose what is right,
Though it costs you dearly.
To care for others,
as I have cared for you.
March 2018
March 2018