A Silent Parting

by Gary Cox
  

The silent words that your eyes spoke

that moment that we shared,

Pierced my soul and left their mark

as none had ever dared.
 

In life we failed to share the words

that we both knew were there,

We sat in silence awkwardly

as though we weren't aware.
 

Presumed that you would always be

the way you'd always been,

A shadow I could always chase

your footsteps to walk in.
 

It's strange the things a son will do

to try to be like Dad,

In spite of all the faults and ways

I wish you'd never had.
 

All in all those times were you,

no different could you be,

The way you lived and how you died

were your own destiny.
 

I often wonder how it'd be,

to give it one more try,

To spend the time we never had

the first time life slipped by.
 

I oftentimes will see someone,

a stranger I don't know...

But in their eyes I'll catch a glimpse

of someone I loved so.
 

I'll catch a whiff of some brief smell

that I cannot explain...

But as it passes by my way

it beckons out your name.
 

The tears still fall, yet slowly now,

this wound shall always be...

Lest I forget the one who died

that meant so much to me.
 

That final moment that we shared,

the touch and look you gave...

Spoke more to me in that brief time

than words could ever say.
 

Dad, I know it won't be long

until we meet again...

And I will have eternity

your footsteps to walk in.
  

 

In Loving Memory Of

James L. Cox

September 27, 1935 - March 14, 1985