MY DAD.

Today I lost my hero, my dad has waved goodbye. His love will last forever, a whisper fuelled to cry.

Tears now are streaming as I watched so helplessly. His body closing down and then his soul becoming free!

His family sat beside him, his support right til the end. Fuelling his determination, hoping he could mend.

He fought so hard and bravely like the warrior that he was. Fighting like a younger man, that marine instinct because.

His training and his courage had conditioned him that way. Refusing just to quit no matter what his body said!

He knew how much I loved him, so proud of who he was. Holding tight his hand, gently talking just because.

That's the way he raised me, made me who I am today. Thank you dad for guidance even on this darkest day.

I'm broken and I'm shattered that you've gone forever now. In time I'll find the strength you gave me just to carry on.

For now I'm lost in sorrow and these words are hard to say. A void has opened up, the light has gone from me today.

The world has got much darker, it was you that brought the light. A presence with such warmth and humour, lost it seems tonight.

I guess what I am trying to say, in hope I do you proud. No finer father I could wish for, shouting it aloud.

The baton it appears, has passed on now to me! I hope and pray I have the tools to see what you could see?

To live upto your level as a leader amongst men, to share that love you offered up so freely til the end.

I hope you understand the pride that I hold now for you? A love that I hold onto dad, forever missing you.

By F J Palmer.