I did not know my father
He was there when I was born
He named me Maria
And then he was gone

Another man raised me
It was he I called dad
He changed my name
Life was sad

I searched for my father
When I was grown
One day I found him
But who could have known

The stories I was told
Of the man I had not met
Were beyond belief
And difficult to forget

He had other children now
A successful man
I did not want trouble
So I made a plan

I went to see him
But did not tell who I was
I drank in his nearness
Then I left … because

I called him later
To tell we had met
It was strange
But I was no threat

A father and his daughter
Had crossed on life’s path
They spoke for the first time
It would be the last

A sprinkle of tiny freckles
Adorn her pretty face
Her golden hair a curly frame
His fingers long to trace

Contentment and pure joy she brings
To each and every day
His mind has filled with hopes and dreams
That she is here to stay

He cannot wait to hold her close
And smell her perfumed skin
To drink in her proximity
And let their love begin

His eager body aches and burns
With powerful desire
He cannot fight it any more
He needs to quench the fire

He makes his move, he takes her hand
And leads her to his bed
She does not pause, she wants this too
No word between them said

To gentle touch she does respond
His heart begins to race
Rousing wave of love and passion
He rides with eager pace

He rides until he can no more
Then ecstasy gives chase

What love is love? The question he does ask
A love most hard to find it would so seem
‘Tis pure and true this love of which we dream
And want so greatly now to find, unmask
Have faith! ‘Tis not an impossible task!
Is true love bound by passion so extreme?
Perhaps it is defined by great esteem
For those in whose sweet love we seek to bask

A love so true is chaste, tender, faithful
It knows no bounds to deep, warm affection
It does not take devotion for granted
It honours, worships and is respectful
It proffers commitment and protection
Such pure and precious love is enchanted

You have a way with words
That keeps me here for more
The language of your love
‘Tis music I adore

I catch my breath and listen
For the words you speak to me
The poetry from your heart
I drink in tenderly

You have a way with words
They fill my mind, my dreams
They linger oh so sweetly
Like radiant moonbeams

Your words caress my heart
And gently soothe my soul
They kiss me on my lips
Their sweetness I extol

Delectable whispers
Tantalising and whole

Heaven-sent and unexpected
I found a thread of silver

It came to me in time of need
And delivered me a saviour

Under dismal cloud of despair
I’ve lingered much too long

I’ve felt my spirit fading fast
And hope was almost gone

But across the miles and the seas
A treasure most rare I’ve seen

It touched my soul and gave me strength
And a shoulder on which to lean

There is a truth in what they say
A silver lining can be found

In ev’ry cloud above our head
Silver threads of friendship abound

Troubled, bitter and dishevelled
          Out into the night he steps
Which way to turn he cannot fathom
         In limbo, confused and perplexed


Life’s path, no longer lucid
          Hidden beneath gnarled thoughts
Secreting the pledge made long ago
          And now proffering a murky course


Feelings gravely stained and worn
          Shed tears for love misplaced
They ache for consolation
          And her warm, gentle embrace


Promises broken and moments lost
          Empty darkness calls
Her nothingness so strangely appealing
          Then, dolefully, he staggers forth

As you start your new adventure
With hope, excitement and longing
I wonder about that greener pasture
And the dreams it might be growing

And as I muse, reflect and ponder
I settle with but one impression …
Whatever dreams are there and yonder
Are worthy of pursuit and possession

Please know of my sincere affection
For all the kindness shown
You steered me in a new direction …
A mentor, none better have I known

Your support so kindly imparted
Will be both missed and treasured
Lovely, generous and kind-hearted
A friend by whom friends are measured

I wish for you happiness and health
Amazing travels, both near and far
A future filled with such joyous wealth
But for now, my friend … Au revoir

The job is done
And it has been done well
The soldier is now home
But he lives in hell

He lives with pain
Pain without end
He begs for relief
But the pain does not bend

He marches on
His head is lowered
Through brutal times
He continues forward

A son he has lost
Through tragic circumstance
He visits him often
In memory and chance

He feels guilt and shame
And a pain he cannot abide
But this was not his doing
And his son walks by his side

The pain without end
Leaves him crippled and weak
He pleads for release
And forgiveness he seeks

The soldier stayed at his post
He has held it for so long
He is tired now
And struggles to stay strong

The soldier searches
And he prays
For the secret to life
For the reason to stay

He calls for the answer
He is so weary
His body is broken
And to die seems easy

A wife now fights
She fights for her land
And she fights for her husband
She is making her stand

The soldier marches onward
His country has been served
But he holds his post for family
And life must be preserved

March on brave soldier
For the path is in front of you
Fight on dear soldier
The secret is those closest to you

A mother weeps today
She weeps for a child lost
Lost on this earth
Lost in his body

A mother weeps tonight
She weeps for she is alone
Alone with her thoughts
Alone with her demons

A mother will weep tomorrow
She will weep for change
Change that pledges escape
Change that does not come

A mother weeps
She weeps
Weeps
Weeps

Solitary silence he seeks
Away from the celebration of him

Kerfuffle and commotion
He does not covet

He retreats to the tree’s shady veil  
Respite and relief silently welcomed

Detached and almost concealed
The wooden pony his dependable friend

Dappled light playfully dancing
Seclusion does not disappoint

Sanctuary, Shelter
Stay safe, oh beautiful child

In her arms he gently rests
Swathed, secure and snug

Eyes, firmly closed
And mouth, rose-pink, puckered

A hand, so small and plump
The plastic bracelet – a greeting to new life

Proudly, she embraces him
Uncertainty etched on her face

Young, yet mature
Scared, but ready to begin

He sits beside them both
On the edge, almost afloat

With protective arms
He envelops them