Last Time:
When I told you goodbye
I didn’t know it would be for the last time
My expectations were that I would see you again
At dinner
Watching you as you scarf down mom’s meat loaf
Moving your eyes from me
To the vomiting broccoli
I didn’t want to eat
But I ate it for you,
Dad.
When I told you goodbye,
I realized
In that moment that there is nothing good
About watching you drive off in your red truck
There is nothing good
About waiting by the door all day
There is nothing good about missing
Your arms wrap around me like a shield
So, I told myself
In that moment that next time I will say
See you later
But there was no next time
I waited by the door
You never came
I waited at the table and my broccoli sat there
Mom cried
Grandma came
Family dressed in black
I never saw that red truck again
Everyone told you goodbye this time
For the last time,
I stood over you
And whispered,
See you later, dad.
Although 9/11 has passed, we should never forget about the families that have a constant reminder what 9/11 did to their family. We have children growing up without fathers and mothers and we only recognize the day while they remember that day everyday. Please do not forget about the little girl growing up without a father and the little boy who struggles without a mother. This day will never be forgotten. This poem is dedicated to the families that still remember the phone call, the news, and the sound of 9/11 ringing in their ears.
Photo credits go to glynlowe.com on Flickr.