Comfortable?

O! My boy, my son,
Cradle in my arms.
Eyes misty as the winter sky….
Silver tears wet my forehead, why?
Bury my face in your precious arms;
Mum, I don’t understand.

Why, is Dad in the box over there?
One we made at the back yard, day and night.
Yesterday, he said to me…
Son, ‘Today’s triumph….tomorrow’s silence’,
The best I made with white silk cloth.
Mum, need he lie still?
Wake him up for a cheerful laugh

Is the box comfortable for him to lie?
You are shaking with cries.
Skillfully done for the dead to lie
His bare hands sore…
My ears echo with the hammer pounding sound,
Polish the box to give shimmer and glee…
Tears did pour when every box was complete.

It played patterns on his sweat drenched cheeks,
Unaware!
Why? I look up,
He ruffles my hair.
Sad… he mummer…
But pennies for food,
For us to share

Wake up Dad…please do….
I’ll give my hand to make more.
Dad you’re cold, need the duvet we share?
Don’t stare people! I need my Dad.
Mum, please say to me,
Will he wake up at morn?
Kiss me goodbye to school?

I screamed…. I cried….
I spoke…. I touched…..
Unmoved did he lie.
Setting sun did shine on his face, Alas,
Lips didn’t part with a happy smile.

We’ll pray mum said for dear Dad.
To reach heaven or born a good life.
He was a man with a gentle heart.
Together we prayed… beside the casket he lay,
A rose I gave, not hammer and nails

Sleep dear Dad in the bed you made,
I’ll never make one for mum;
Keep her safe on the old bed,
Near the hearth we slept.
We’ll miss you today…tomorrow…
I won’t say goodbye,
Please come back to us again and again.

With Love, Son