Sir, Have You Seen My Dad?
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:57 pm
Our local paper has just run a writing comp for Anzac Day with the theme being 'Memories from the past'. This poem first came about through the writing workshop last year and I thought it fitting to enter. I was notified on Tuesday that I had won, the trophy -the 2013 Sands of Gallipoli collection commemorating The battle of Lone Pine-how chuffed am I?
“SIR, HAVE YOU SEEN MY DAD”
Sue Pearce © 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 ago, 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 soldiers 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?”
“SIR, HAVE YOU SEEN MY DAD”
Sue Pearce © 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 ago, 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 soldiers 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?”
