In Loving Memory

when i mourn him

i mourn everything

the black depths of silence

the loss of parental love

the laughter and song no longer

the joy stamped out by terror

the faded memories of

brighter, happier times

the lost opportunity to

make things right

the glimpses i

caught of his nobler self

when i mourn him

i mourn everything

i grieve the same griefs

i have grieved countless

times before

yet the greatest loss

i have mourned

is for the father

i could have had