A Tribute To My Dad

by Nick Alcantara ©

Father and son

Stood side by side

Eyes dazed

Speechless, motionless and helpless,

As we watched

Our familial home

Turn into ashes...

That was the year

Nineteen and sixty-eight.

When tragedy

Struck twice in my family

The suspicious fire

And the death of my father.

My Dad's face

I won't forget

The pain and anguish

Etched in his face

So hard to erase

Memories I refuse

To recollect.

It was so hard to tell

What he was thinking then,

But all the while

He was already sick

And silently suffering

From something

He'd rather not tell.

He died a month later

After his blood, sweat and dreams

Turned into smoke and ashes.

I know all too well

Without question

He was a dedicated father, husband and lawyer

Endowed with a loving, courageous

And supportive wife

Who loved being a teacher.

I was only fifteen then

Bitter I became

Faith all shattered

I questioned God and said "Why"?

I only wished

He lived longer

For reasons

A young son or daughter

Could obviously answer.