The Long Goodbye (An Original Poem)

I remember when
you were the strongest
man in the world,
at least to me,

the many nights you
walked me on your shoulders
to calm me when I
was too sick to sleep.

I remember how
your eyes sparkled
when we rode our bikes
those countless miles,

what I wouldn’t give
to relive the fun we
had, if only,
for a little while.

But the hours, they’re
passing quickly now...
we laugh, we talk, I sigh,
treasuring every moment
as we share this long goodbye.

Still, I see glimpses
of the person I once knew,
these are moments of
pure zen,

if only there was
some way we could lay a trail
of breadcrumbs so he
could find his way back again.

On bad days I try to remember
that lost somewhere behind
those empty eyes
is the father I once knew,

the man who taught
me to tie a tie,
to fix a flat,
and to shine my shoes.

But the hours, they’re
passing quickly now...
we laugh, we talk, I sigh,
treasuring every moment
as we share this long goodbye.

~ Eric Vance Walton ~