Father
It was a surprise attack
No, it was a sneak attack
Damn those heart attacks
I never said goodbye
I was a teenager
Father was a salesman
His last day he worried about the numbers
The next day he was and worried no more
I never said goodbye
I remember him in bits and pieces
Like a box of popcorn
The only memories are the bits and pieces left on your shirt
I never said goodbye
Mother
Her way to exit
Was no surprise attack
Cancer
Cancer, like a cat, plays with you
The game had several rounds
Lasted years
We said goodbye
In that final hour I stroked her leg
I felt like a seven year old
Holding on to her dress
Don’t lose me Mom
We said goodbye
Father and Mother
Mother’s long goodbye
Father’s quick exit
I realize now
Life is one long goodbye
Final words
Are in the living
____________
Bumper Sticker
Bumper Sticker
Saw a bumper sticker
R.I.P Dad, Fuck cancer
Mine would read
Tornado’s work magic
What’s happening in America to day
I asked myself at the movie’s
Saw parents with two and three and four years old
At an R rated movie
Scenes of sex, murder, drugs, galore
Young brains absorbing all the gore
Texting, phone calls, and even more
It’s all about me and I and no one else
Saw a bumper sticker
R.I.P Dad, Fuck cancer
Mine would read
Tornado’s work magic
In the car – I heard it all
Country songs praising our men of shore
It’s memorial day and let’s observe
Parades, speeches with many words
Meanwhile men with minds so sick
From deeds vomiting can not erase
Are left alone as they cry out for help
Budgets don’t allow proper care
Individuals go on each and every way
As these men end their days
Texting, phone calls, and even more
It’s all about me and I and no one else
Saw a bumper sticker
R.I.P Dad, Fuck cancer
Mine would read
Tornado’s work magic
Tornado’s do work magic as in the magic of hope
Heard of people dying to save
Heard of people giving all
Heard of people displaying an American gift
Heard of people sharing their human gift
To help and heal and sit with the sick
Thank you, you roaring beast
With your twisting tail whipping free
You have lifted a people’s eyes
Beyond the me and I
Saw a bumper sticker
R.I.P Dad, Fuck cancer
Mine would read
Tornado’s work magic