I always found him
Sitting in his chair
Newspaper cup of tea
Racing on from Ayr
He never heard me
Coming in the door
Those old ears
Deaf from gunnery
From many years before
But one day
He surprised me
As I drove up in my car
Before the engine was turned off
I saw the door ajar
My father now
Was standing there
Brightness in his eyes
Coalminer’s hand in greeting
Great was my surprise
Welcome King of Diamonds!
The words that greeted me
What in the world’s come over him?
It was a mystery
It was a kind of baptism
Confirmation true
You are my beloved son
I am very proud of you
This moment has always stayed with me
My father on his feet
Opening the door and greeting me
Not usually how we meet
It wasn’t long before he died
Time to let me know
How much he loved and valued me
That day in the long ago
Brian Fahy
9 January 2022
Erris Poetry 