Upon his lap she clambered,

Despite warnings from her mom,

Anxious to hear what he had to say,

As he sat there looking calm.

×××

His face was weak and shriveled,

Wrinkles swam in waves across his skin,

Yet this old man smiled,

Like being saddened was a sin.

×××

"Tell me all about him,"

The brunette whispered to his ear;

"They never tell me anything,"

"But I know there's lots to hear!"

×××

His laugh was deep and croaky,

Nothing short of a raspy cough,

But as he patted her back lightly,

He spoke, "just promise not to run off!"

×××

"Why would I do that?"

She questioned with a frown,

Her face fell from a smile,

As her chocolate eyes met the ground.

×××

"It might he scary,"

He chided without a grin;

"It might make you cry,"

"Or be sadder than you've ever been,"

×××

"I can handle it, I promise,"

She responded eagerly,

Happy she was getting answers,

After years of mystery.

×××

With a glance to his left,

Receiving a nod from her mother,

He opened his mouth to speak,

His voice mellow like no other.

×××

"Your dad was a great person,

In fact, the best I've ever known;

He could make people smile with a single quip,

Yet his emotions were never shown.

×××

I used to think him selfish,

Only fighting for himself,

But I realize just how wrong I was,

And made the mistake of missing
how he really felt.

×××

I walked over him,

Shoving his feelings aside;

But by the end I realize,

What he felt inside.

×××

It's too late to say sorry,

Too late to make amends;

But I know he was a great man,

And I'll repeat it again and again."

×××

The daughter shook her head,

Confused at the old man's plight,

Yet she took much notice,

To the way his eyes shone bright;

×××

He felt sorry for something,

Something he couldn't quite explain;

And as he had previously stated,

It was too late to make up for the pain.

×××

She batted her lashes,

Tucking her hair behind her ears,

Understanding how he felt,

Though he far surpassed her in years.

×××

He was grieving, mourning, crying,

His heart was sore inside;

He longed to say, "I'm sorry,"

Yet words death could not provide.

×××

He spoke again more clearly,

His milky eyes shimmering with tears,

"He loved you Morgan, and losing you was one of his worst fears."

×××

She opened her mouth to speak again,

Feeling angered and upset,

Yet he interrupted before she could talk,

Not letting her speak just yet.

×××

"I know you won't understand,

Your youth deems it so,

Just recognize what he sacrificed,

And what he had to let go."

×××

"He had life, a wife, and a child,

Three things you love the most,

He had your life to look forward to,

He had years to keep you close."

×××
He paused for a moment,

Capturing her attention,

Knowing for certain she was listening,

To avoid bitter contention

×××

When the next sentence left his mouth,

His voice as clear as day,

He spoke those little words,

"He had all those things to lose, yet he still made the sacrifice play."

×××