Linda Ellis has several poems that I enjoy but this one hits home right now...
I'll Never Lose You
My friend revealed in conversation,
she'd lost her father last year
and I realized after all these months,
that memory still brought forth a tear.
I considered her feelings carefully,
and rehearsed her words in my mind...
still I had to recall that old cliche',
"seek and you shall find."
When she said she'd lost her father,
it seemed to me, rather bleak,
for he never would be truly lost
if she knew just where to seek.
My father, you sit before me now,
your body's strength has been taken
and soon will come the sorrowful day
from peaceful sleep, you'll not awaken.
So there is something that I need to say
before your spirit leaves this earth
to let you know how much, to me,
your time here has been worth.
Those words, "I lost my father,"
no one will ever hear me say
because I know that I will find you
in my own life, every day.
You are a part of me forever,
you own a piece of my heart
and that will never, ever change
no matter how long we're apart.
The years of memories we've shared
will endlessly play in my mind...
no, I'll never lose my father,
you...I'll always find.
I'll find the memory of your smile
and your bellowing laughter in my head.
Through the years, your voice will have echoed
in most everything I've said.
And when I look into my children's eyes,
there...I will see you, too --
for they are laughing, living legacies
of the grandpa they once knew.
I will carry you with me always
because your life is part of mine
and I know there will be days to come
when, for your company, I will pine.
But, I will never lose you, dad,
your love will always surround
my thoughts, my heart, my very soul...
where forever, you'll be found.
If you'd like to read more of Linda's poems (especially since I'm not really supposed to copy/post 'em), they can be found here:
www.lindaslyrics.com/All%20Poems.htm