POEM: Memorial Day

“Had I but one wish” the father exhaled,

“It would be that I could embrace my only daughter once more”

As his eyes swelled big with tears of sorrow in memory of her,

He quietly whispered over her grave,”you’ll forever remain in my hearts core”

“She was my beloved child” he muttered in between tears,

“She was my gem that brought me such peace”

“Lord why did war take my baby”

“Why couldn’t it of been me! Please!”

“My baby girl is gone” he whispered,

“But my sweet baby girl will always remain in the mansion of my heart”

“Know I will visit tomorrow and day after that”

“The memories of you shall never depart”

The father knelt down once more,

And tears of anguish cascaded down that solemn noon,

“My daughter, one day I shall behold you again”

“I love you my sweetheart, know we will see each other soon.”

- • •

I wrote this thinking of a father’s sorrow at losing his daughter to war. War takes many daughters and sons and know that this feeling of anguish is incomprehensible when you lose someone you always wanted to protect, yet lost them because they were protecting you.

SASHA FISHER

Coeur d’Alene