I began writing this poem thinking about you
but then I remembered who you were
and I knew
I knew that you were humble and selfless
I knew that you didn’t like things dedicated in your name
so I’ll write about the people who’s lives you touched
about the mothers and fathers that were blinded by darkness
until you showed them clarity
the broken families that you glued back together
piece by piece by piece with peace
and whatever cracks were left can be filled with love
I’ll write about the message that you spoke
the kids you brought back from the edge
the lives that you saved
yesterday I was told you were gone
taken from us
it felt like the earth had dropped from under me
as my soul shivered and my heart sank
now as I sit here
clenching my jaw
and grinding my teeth
trying to swallow the knot of emotions that’s built up in my throat
trying not to choke on these memories
but my tears are tearing thru the seams of my eyes
I remember who you were
someone I took for granted
a father
a brother
a friend
a helpful hand to hold
our mentor
now you’ve left us all jealous
because you've reached your destination
while we're left here waiting for our turn
but we all have a piece of you to guide us
and with that piece, from now till my end
I’ll be asking
"Any questions? no charge"

10/20/2010

Author's Note: RIP Padre Tino

Posted on 10/20/2010
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