Tears of a Son in Graduation Day

I wrote this poem for my dad’s tragic passing in 2007. The event happened in 2007 but I described how I felt during my graduation day in 2008. The pain I felt and courage it gave me to endure and strive for best in my life as dad always wanted. I attribute all my success in life to my hero, friend, mentor and dad

You said to come for my big day

I waited in anticipation

Seconds turned into minutes

Minutes turned into hours

Hours turned into days

I waited

Hoping and praying

That Lord will guide you

Safely across the Atlantic ocean to me

Finally my day arrived

I put on my best clothes

I looked my best as every graduand did

But I still no word from him

What’s wrong? I asked mum on the phone

She said everything is ok

What’s wrong I asked Phil, Claudia and Zina?

They said everything is ok

But I knew something wasn’t right

Fear griped my brave heart

I hated to imagine that something terrible happened

I knew it was just a bad dream that’ll end when I woke up

I saw proud dad’s tying their son’s neck ties

I saw proud sons crying tears of joy with their dad

Everywhere I turned I saw a dad and a son

God, where’s my hero? Where’s my dad? I asked

I saw dad’s face in every dad I saw

I expectantly watched every vehicle driving into the university gate

But still no dad

Minutes turned into seconds

My heart sank deeper

Hot tears filled my eyes

Dad when will you arrive? I asked

You said to escort me up to get my paper?

I hid my face and cried silently

Then my mobile beeped

My hope rose to heaven

But Phil said three words that tore my heart forever

“They killed him”

A sharp pain pieced though my heart

I wanted to die

I wanted to shout and cry

I wanted to push my hand into their flesh

And tear out their hearts

I wanted to see blood oozing out of their eyes, nose and ears

I wanted to see them grasp for air

As I squeeze oxygen out of their lungs

But somewhere deep within me

I heard a voice

Distant but familiar

It said these words I know so well

“Son, if you want anything at all in life, you got to do anything at all to get it”

That’s my dad’s voice I heard

So he did come for my day

But he came in wind

I Love You Always Dad

With Love, Whiskey and Tears

Ian.