His eyes are sunken, tired and innocent
Gone is the impish sparkle
His face is lined with age and experience
We are content in each others company

He greets me with a sigh of contentment
I have travelled 12,000 miles for this moment
His gentle smile conveys love tinged with sadness
In the face of death and his acceptance of the inevitable

Beside him I lie
Not knowing what his thoughts are
The air is very still
And peace presides over this tender meeting

In the quiet moments that pass
A few words are spoken
(..he asks me, how i am!)

Laboured breathing now heralds life's end
Lovingly he raises a weak arm
And with a frail hand, pats me on the head
There is no speech now
Just an uneasy stare
Perhaps into the beyond
Who knows?

Behind his now closed eyes
Intermittent unconsciousness protects him
From the pain and emotion of this final parting
Now he is fading

I brace myself
These are the final slow breaths
I whisper "goodbye" in his ear
His tongue is still
This is his last breath
He is released from the pain of which he never complained

Gently I close his eyelids
Now 'this old man' plays none
The heart, beats not its drum

Thanks Dad, for the little red plastic guitar
And I'm glad I arrived in time to say 'goodbye'.

11/24/2001

Posted on 11/24/2001
Copyright © 2024 Anne Howe