If tomorrow starts without me

If tomorrow starts without me

It's going to be okay.

I can't be here forever;

Life doesn't work that way.

But know that even though

You don't see me in your life

That I am ever present

A beacon through the strife.

You need to search your memories

To listen to your heart.

Times will come, you'll feel alone

But we'll never be apart,

Because I live in our life shared;

In everything we've done:

In conversations, trips away,

Football games you've won.

Times we've wrestled, tears that spilled,

Moments of upset.

Making cupcakes, Hallowe'en,

Choosing homes for pets.

Tomorrow will arrive

And I'll be left behind.

But know that I am there, my son,

In a corner of your mind.

There's a place for you to have,

A retreat to give you strength

However you see it in your head

You can talk to me at length.

My voice you'll hear, an echo

Of the times that I've advised

Or reassured or tempered you

Or held you like a vice.

Imagine, then, a scene where

You can visit, like a snug:

Cushioned, full of warmth

That will envelope like a hug.

And we will sit and ruminate

And settle for a while

And you will sense my presence

And the power of my smile.

I'm never gone, I'm always here

Of that there is no doubt.

My earthly light has faded

But is never truly out.

Just reach for me, stretch upwards

To the recess where I'm kept

And you will be suffused with warmth

Just like I never left.

*

Dedicated to my boys and inspired by the prompt but also by F Cade Swanson's effort which touched me as a parent and a poet:

The link to Kayleigh's original proposal and her own lovely poem is below. You will also find their links to other poems by other Vocal creators all inspired by the same line. See where visiting takes you.

Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.