When my dad was dying
He couldn’t speak a word
Messages from heart and mind
Silent and unheard
Except for when my heart filled up
Almost overcome
He spoke my name to comfort me
A father to his son
Four days he lay within his bed
Four days silent still
But he wasn’t doing nothing
He was waiting waiting till
The moment came for parting
For meeting as it came
The approach of death to take him
Beyond what he could name
Like that day in Normandy
When an officer’s command
Told him to drive along a road
My father took a stand
That corner perfect ambush
I think you’d better send
An armoured car to reconnoitre
Else it will be the end
What lies around the corner
None of us can know
But old heads in the army game
Know when its good to go
My father facing death himself
Knew exactly what to do
Be still and gather yourself my son
We head into the new
Brian Fahy
25 December 2021
Erris Poetry 