Father's Day Lament

Today I found this lovely poem that made me daydream. I haven't dared daydreaming about my non-existent child 'coz I know that'd only make me feel sad, but for some reason today when I read the poem, I just couldn't stop being absorbed in it. It's simply too beautiful not to be enjoyed fully...it leaves me feeling happy and sad at the same time - sad when I have to get back to the real world, but happy while I read the imagery in the poem...

Anyway, without further ado, let me just share the poem here...

Father’s Day Lament

Today is not my day

Though I have a daughter in my mind

For so long, she was there every day
Helping me pet the dog
Listening to my stories
Greeting me when I came home

I’d tuck her into bed at night,
I’d make her a midnight snack.
As she slept, we’d watch her
Carefully counting her every hair

Then the time came
When she was no longer there
Every day

Time changes us
It alters desire
It dulls memories
Time heals all things
But often - healing involves scars

She is with me less now, but today I see her
Dancing in the backyard
Laughing and twirling, twirling and laughing

She beckons me to join her
I whisper, “I have loved you so much.”

She fades into the light
All that remains
Is sunlight and shadow on leaves

Today is not my day

June 15, 2008

poem written by: Dan T. Davis
author of:
Infertility's Anguish
The Blacksmith's Gift