2002

I did not see my son’s birth,

I missed it by 2 hours.

He was born in another state,

we traveled 8 hours to say hello.

He wore a diaper and concentrated on breathing.

He was curled up with skinny legs and arms.

His hands and feet seemed enormous.

He had a little hair on his smooth round head

and his ears stuck out.

His eyes were mostly closed and when they opened

they could not focus.

He slept and was warm.

Bless his heart.

I did not see my father’s death,

I saw him 9 hours before he passed.

He died in another country,

we traveled 8 hours to say goodbye.

He wore a diaper and concentrated on breathing.

He was curled up with skinny legs and arms.

His hands seemed enormous.

He had a little hair on his smooth round head

and his ears stuck out.

His eyes were mostly closed and when they opened

they could not focus.

He slept and was warm.

Bless his soul.