Here lies my father,
Who was overrun in the jungle.
He stood and fought
'till all was lost
and in that he lost himself.
Though maybe he is at peace,
for “Only the dead have seen the end of war.”
He still returns from time time.
He is the Sun,
Rising to nourish the life he created,
such as the wind whispers words of comfort.
He comes in my dreams.
I can see him now, over on that hill
Running to greet his baby grandson
I can see him now,
but now I see him in you.
You have the same eyes.
I only hope one day,
You can be the man he was;
strong and wise, yet gentle and caring.
A love for his land, a passion for his family
A servant to his God, and a leader to his men,
He remained faithful to all until the bitter end.
But with his final breath, nothing heroic was uttered.
All that was heard by the survivors was one word,
one word by which they have come to live their lives;
one word by which I have come to live my life;
one word by which all should live their lives-
Love.