'The Autumn Of My Daddy.'

Written by Anhua Gao. October 2006.

(Anhua Gao is the best selling author of

TO THE EDGE OF THE SKY.

I hate to see the summers go,
Watch leaves fall till trees are bare.
Soon comes the winter snow,
And the year will close.

My spring was daddy’s summer,
Now the summer is mine.
How sad, devoted daddy, that in your autumn,
You cannot remember me, your daughter.

Where did you go? Where in your head do you live?
I know you want to return… I see it in your frightened eyes.

I too am fearful. Scared of losing the little of you that remains.
Knowing that the next time I visit,
You will be less than today and again my heart will break.
But I mustn’t cry, not whilst I’m with you.
I keep my tears for when I am alone,

And missing you.

My greatest wish is to help you to return,
To your wise old warm and loving self.
But I am helpless.
When the doctors said these days would come,
I didn’t understand.
Nor did I believe it would be like this –
Not for you anyway.

I expected you to fight it, and at first you did,
Not knowing it was a lost cause.
My dear Daddy,

I cling to your last words to me:
‘Learn to lose the ones you love,
Cherish them when they leave.’

Goodbye Daddy,

my once upon a time rock,
I cherish you,
With all of my heart.

See you …

Next week.

(Thanks Angie-Pangie for the idea.)