For the love of Gilly

What were the words

last spoke from the lips

of my father the day that he died?


Did he cry out for help?

Or did a wave of relief

wash over the place where he lied?


What were the feelings

last felt by the man

who gave to me half of my soul?


Did love fill his heart?

Or did fear, loss, and sadness

overcome him and take their toll?


Did my face find his memory

for a fleeting last kiss

on his cheek as his eyes closed for good?


Did he wish he’d done more?


Or wish he knew less?


Or was his fate simply understood?