Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

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mummsie
Posts: 1062
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:33 am
Location: Tumut, NSW

Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

Post by mummsie » Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:33 am

Thought I'd re post this one as Anzac Day draws near
A reminder that children, too, carried the brunt of war

“SIR, HAVE YOU SEEN MY DAD”
Sue Pearce (c) 2013

The crowd was cheering, waving, as the boat docked by the quay
he stood along his mother’s side, a wee small lad was he
as soldiers filed down, one by one, he searched each face with care
then, scanned the photo in his hand- No-no resemblance there.

The hours passed, the tiny lad began to show despair
when, suddenly, a hand reached out and gently brushed his hair
a soldier, who’d been watching by asked “why so anxious lad?”
the small boy answered, questioning “Sir, have you seen my Dad?”

Two years before that very day, a knock came to the door
informing them their loved one had gone missing in the war
with hopeful hearts they waited…. daily papers they perused
acceptance of the soldier’s death was something they refused.

The lad was just a newborn when his father set to sea
he’d placed the photo by his crib, reminding him, that he
would always hold him in his heart, no matter, come what may
his letters home would always read “I love you more each day”.

The soldier knelt beside the lad and said “now let me see,
is this a photo of your Dad? How proud you all must be
for in his eyes there shines a pride that soldiers take to war
a sacrifice where many lives are lost--forever more”.


The soldier shook the small boys hand and bid the lad farewell
but, as he turned to walk away, the teardrops freely fell
for how on earth could he explain to sad and hopeful eyes
his father wasn’t coming home-he knew of his demise.

The days, the months, the years flew by. The boy became a man,
and bore a son who filled the void in life’s eternal plan
they shared a bond, so special-of the kind he’d been denied
but always in his heart he felt his father by his side.

The twilight years soon enveloped an aged and weary mind
where days were spent submerged in time, his thoughts, now, running blind
as frail hands clasped a photo, scanned by eyes forlorn and sad
his last words, whispered, to his son-“Sir,.. have you seen..my Dad?”
the door is always open, the kettles always on, my shoulders here to cry on, i'll not judge who's right or wrong.

Vic Jefferies
Posts: 1041
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:21 am

Re: Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

Post by Vic Jefferies » Thu Apr 21, 2016 2:32 pm

Brilliant!

vwalla
Posts: 160
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:44 am

Re: Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

Post by vwalla » Thu Apr 21, 2016 3:40 pm

Thanks Sue.
Reinforces the anguish of war that lasts forevermore
Val W

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Catherine Lee
Posts: 1304
Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 9:47 pm
Location: Thailand

Re: Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

Post by Catherine Lee » Thu Apr 21, 2016 4:55 pm

Gives me goose bumps Sue - a very sad and beautiful poem

Neville Briggs
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Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:08 pm
Location: Here

Re: Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

Post by Neville Briggs » Thu Apr 21, 2016 7:41 pm

Goodonya Sue. There's too many that could identify with that.
Neville
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.

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Mal McLean
Posts: 521
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:40 pm
Location: North Lakes

Re: Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

Post by Mal McLean » Fri Apr 22, 2016 12:06 pm

Yeah, that hits the spot Sue.

Mal
Preserve the Culture!

Heather

Re: Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?

Post by Heather » Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:47 pm

Really lovely Sue.

Heather

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