A dry rope creaking as it rubs against the bough
a strong man, we're both real proud, you'd overcome disease
who wouldn't struggle to know why, or how
what type of human would this sort of action please
crawling on the floor almost further back than I can remember
pulling yourself up on my knee with a smile
tears in my eye, pride, cold out, it's December
praise in heaps and hugs and love on you I pile
bikes, cars, army men and bows made out of sticks
with underwear elastic used for strings
running through the weeds and checking nooks for ticks
what joy to your father your sunny presence brings
you struggled a bit with grades, yeah we all did
it was probably in your genes, like mine
but through it all, you were always a good kid
rarely stepped over it, but always rode that line
A strange feeling mix of emptiness and pride that day
you were leaving for school a strong, young man
I was proud to see you standing up, but sad in a silly way
Cried on the inside, but will support you all I can
I wondered probably every day if you'd find what you left here for
and did my best to hide how much I missed you
I didn't tell you what I found today, your growth marks on the door
each line different ink and thickness and a flashback of what you were in to
That day changed my life when you said you felt weak
and the doc told us what it was about
always the strong one, of defeat you'd never speak
my questions for God, swap places, out of anger I shout
you're resilience must have come from your mother
I don't hink I could have had your guts to fight
You're all we ever really had son, no sister or brother
In both of our lives, you were the strongest, bightest light
Its almost funny looking back how scare I was then for you
but always with the encouragement and that quirky smile
you always seemd to calm me down when I didn't know what to do
'hey dad, just relax and sit here with me a while'
The treatments and the drugs and the thousands, it's only debt
i'd sell my soul to keep you here for another day
the tests came back and you said it wasn't your time yet
I was so pissed off at God, but he still must have heard me pray
like it never happened son, you hit the books and were done
you're drive must have come from your mom too
I'd always ask you. 'son, why don't you just slow down and have some fun?'
you'd say 'dad, I've just got too much to do.'
Work and bills and still making it over every week, a couple of days
it amazes me how you're just so damn driven
I'm gettin' so old anymore and set in my ways
son, take time to appreciate the blessing you were given
You had plenty of money, your family was healthy and doing great
I pissed and moaned when you mentioned the other job
Your family's too important son, you'll get home much too late
'Aw come on, dad. I can't sit around all the time. I feel like a lazy slob.'
A thankless job, I told you that, but you believed in what you did
'part of history, what makes this country great, old man.'
It's funny how when you're walking off, I still see my kid
you were just doing your part, you would say, 'doing what you can.'
It's been a few days son, you mom's getting worried
why don't you call and let us know you're alright
I know your life is full, your always late and hurried
that's not the way to treat your old man, come on, son, we're tight
the phone ringing last night was unlike it's ever been
I can't explain how the noise made me feel
on the other end that guy from work, your friend
your mom dropped the receiver, no this can't be real
They said they found your body, son. I can't describe how that sounds to me
it wasn't supposed to end this way
my son, my life, my boy in a tree
for devotion to your country and ideals, such a price to pay
I love you son, I know you can hear me, God speed my sunny boy
not everyone on this planet is full of hate
not everyone on this planet is out to take lives and destroy
who am I trying to kid, this place sucks, I'm afraid it's way too late.
[edit on 23-9-2009 by KSPigpen]
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Very good job writing from the perspective of this man's father. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the main players of an unfolding report, that we
forget the others that are affected. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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I got choked up reading this. Wow!
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There is nothing more to say.......
Eloquence.
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reply to post by KSPigpen
Excellent job Ks. That got me choked up too.
You got a gift of words
S&F 
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just had to say this is a great poem, it moved me.
to bad it takes sad things to make us feel like we can relate to eachother,
again thats a great poem, good job,
but sad
but I guess sometimes life is sad 
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reply to post by KommonKnowledge
Thanks KK. It is unfortunate, but we can always decide to make it different, right? 
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reply to post by sanchoearlyjones
Thanks Sancho. I've got kids, you know that. Sometimes headlines and stories, to be what they have to be, help us to forget about the cost of hate
and rampant fear. I appreciate you reading it, my friend.
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reply to post by Night Star
Thanks Night Star. I can't read it anymore. I wrote it and read through it once and that was all I could take. I'm grateful that you read it and
that you thought enough about it to leave your name on the wall. I really appreciate it.
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reply to post by Cameoii
Thank YOU, Cameo. It's easy to think like a father, I suppose when you are one. So easy to forget that this guy was loved and held on someone's lap.
I thank you very much for taking time out to read it and share your thoughts.
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reply to post by KSPigpen
Man I enjoy reading your poetry KSPigen. Thanks for putting this out there for everyone to enjoy. You seem to know how to tug on those heart
strings. Thanks again, S+F.
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reply to post by jackflap
Thanks Jack. I enjoy trying to get some of this stuff and am glad we have a place to do it where others can read it without throwing beer bottles.
Thanks for taking the time, My friend.
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reply to post by N3krostatic
Thanks N3kro. Yeah, we should work on something together someday.
I appreciate you reading it, my friend, and stopping by to let me know you had.
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reply to post by KSPigpen
Wow, that was probably the best thing i've read on ATS so far. Even made me a little bit choked up.
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reply to post by TheAntiHero420
Thanks, AH. It's been a few days since that one danced out. I appreciate you reading it and letting me know it had an effect on you.
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