My Father's Stroke

He brought me up,
He and my mother
Together with my sister
And brother
And though they divorced
Many years ago
To him- for advice-
I'd always go.

He remarried and moved abroad
With his new wife
And new in- laws
Teaching English to those
Who didn't speak it well
And flourished thus,
So I could tell.

Happy he was with his new wife
Working as a teacher: A new life
We went out to see him one year
I rather wish that he lived near.

And then he had a stroke one day
How will it affect him?
Who can say?
Problems with his memory.
As yet, as to the effects, we'll have to see.

I shouldn't be selfish but it was a shock.
I'd seen him as he slowly aged.
It's hard to come to terms with the fact
That he's suddenly so ravaged.

I don't have the maturity to cope with this:
I struggle day by day.
Shaving every morning
Worrying.
I should let my own demons go away.

His stroke has shown me as a petulant sod
Battling old hurts.
Angry with God
Regarding the past:
What is it I have I learnt?
How can I think differently?

Well, some problems- they really are bogus:
Certain events throw into focus
The trouble brought about
Only by one's own mind
Perspective.
So let go of the past
And always be kind.

Always be kind.

MDC