I know the steps to shatter your heart
To make you feel this pain like me
The pain that holds my heart captive
The type of pain that runs deep

But My heart can’t gather enough strength to break you

Like you so easily broke me

Because I can’t see you broken without damaging myself

While struggling to help you find all of your shattered pieces

He was born in 1924
And at 17 went to war.
Parachuted over Sicily,
Wounded, sent home to live in civility.

One day he met a Ryder,
Tall and elegant and regal.
Married her and made a home,
Though the front lawn lacked a gnome.

He died before I could really know him.
But what I remember is this:
His heart was good and full of love,
Tender, strong and not at all rough.

He pulled quarters from my ears
Whenever I saw him.
He and Shadow walked the beach
For miles before a swim.
He smoked cigars and drank beer
While playing cribbage.
And he was my favorite person
When I was four years old.