Ode To My Father Poem by Anne Marie V. Kennedy

I hate to bring you this heresy
Because I’m aware most will not believe
But that can’t deter me from saying my piece
Only once in my lifetime can I these words speak

I shudder to think of the pain that’s involved
In losing a brother, a husband, or beloved
Words do not exist to describe this omission
The former companion who is now nonexistent

The loss, the regrets, the plethora of memories
The relationships severed, the reunions, the vagaries
I know of the pain that is better not felt
I know of the whip that does not make a welt

But, even so, I pursue in my mission
To honor my father’s legacy and his vision
No matter the fallout, no matter the cost
He would have wanted me to learn from his loss

Losing him was like losing a part of myself
One-half of me gone, no more story to tell
My bloodline was severed, slain, cut in two
My Dad didn’t want this, but he couldn’t sue

From the grave one is speechless; their song left unsung
They cannot go back and redo the undone
No, they are helpless; locked in to the past
They can neither complete nor amend wishes made last

For who truly knows what is in the heart of a man?
A judge or a jury; a parent, spouse, or brethren?
If the answer was easy we would all be at peace
There’d probably be no war in the Middle East

But at war we are, and at war we remain
No matter how many the casualties, or how numerous the maimed

But there is still a boy
Whom I think you’ve forgot
His name was Eddie, or Edward they thought

As he grew up, Edward was never without Eddie
And he reminisced of the times when he ran and played free
But also firmly implanted in that great mind of his
Was the day when he woke up and spoke this to Rich:

In his beloved first brother did young Edward confide
“I can’t feel my legs! ”, with eyes scared and wide
To this day his younger brother cannot utter a word
Of this conversation without his sobs being heard

I say this in hindsight, on this very day
For purposes known only to my Lord and Saviour, Yahweh
Jesus Christ he is known as, and also Jehovah
The name does not matter if one truly knows Him

And whether you are a believer, atheist, or Jew
No matter what your theology, this message remains true:
In this world it matters not what you say or you do
The called are many, but the chosen are few

If you do not have love, all of that is in vain
That is why Jesus suffered for us such unspeakable pain

He said: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall attain mercy;
And: Blessed are the humble and meek
I did not forget them, nor ever forsake them
I answer the calls of the weak

You think you’re unworthy, you imagine a sinner
But I see only the tears on your cheeks

You dare call me Father, you reach out to touch me
And in an instant you'll find all that you seek.