I have spent so many days wishing

that you were better

My heart broke every time you screamed

Out in pain

Why did it have to be that way?

The suffering

that just went on and on

Was your heart breaking, dad?

I want to cry but I can't

I feel like ‘all out of tears'

My soul has been crying

for two Julys or more

I've missed you for years

More recently though

I've been missing your smiles

And the conversations we could have had

Instead the only sound from your mouth

had been expressions of pain

What else could you say?

What would you have said?

I'm glad we talked

when you could though

When you said you were proud

of me, as a person

I still smile at the thought

since I actually did turn out

So much like you

So much like you were ...

Why did it have to be that way?

The suffering

that just went on and on

Was your heart breaking, dad?

I still want to cry but I can't

My sadness seems to run

much deeper than tears

My soul seems to be crying ... for years

And as I looked at your lifeless body

My only thoughts were

"There lies a great man,

there lies my hero"

A smile as I wondered

Where were you now?

And silently hoped

it was a better place

I will miss your smile

Every time I smile

And the twinkle of your eyes

Until I loose mine

The suffering is over

And the tears are not

For even though they didn't come yet

They will ... everyday ... for years