TOUCHING POEM-God is Dad with You?-Sailee Brahme

I saw her crying

I didn’t know why

Did the teacher scold Mom

Like she does when I don’t try?

Why are there so many people?

I don’t understand

And all of them seem to come

And hold Mom’s hand

Some give me a hug

They all seem teary eyed

They come, weep and go

As I stand to one side

All the uncles are in uniform

Have they just come from school too?

But I don’t see Daddy around

Maybe the crowd won’t let him pass through

I want Mom and Dad

But Grandpa takes me away

Picks me up in his arms

And begins to pray

I see a box then

But not what is inside

Daddy is still not here

We were to go for a ride

He promised he would come back soon

I wish he would hurry up

I feel lonely without him

Although Mom’s always tried to make up

For the time we have spent apart

For the days he was away

She said he was everybody’s hero

But I just want him to come back and stay

I see a coloured cloth now

I have seen this somewhere before

The three colours look familiar

This is our national flag I’ve been told

But what is beneath it

Nobody is letting me see

It seems like everybody knows what’s wrong

Everybody, except me

I run to Mom, she hugs me tight

And starts crying once more

I have never before seen her like this

She looks lost with eyes red and sore

I spot Dad’s picture

Why am I not in it?

There are so many flowers there

And a few candles lit

Mom said Dad’s not coming back

I know I should not have asked

But I could not wait anymore

I don’t remember when I saw him last

It has been a few days

There is no longer a crowd

The house is quiet

But even the neighbourhood isn’t loud

At school we mourned a fallen soldier

Mom what does ‘Mourn’ mean?

I feel like I am in the middle

Of a long and unpleasant dream

God did you take Dad away?

Is he now with you?

Please tell him I miss him

And Mom does too

Tell him we are lonely without him

And that he will always be with us

Don’t worry about the family

We are doing what we must

We are sad but we are strong

Mom tells me every day

But God I would really like to meet Daddy again

Even if it is just for a day!