On This, My First Memorial Day Without You

Needless to say I have been very blessed

Sixty summers with you, Dad, beside me

Still, shock waves of loss crush air from my chest

As I walk t’ward this place you should not be

*~*

Surrounded by strangers, flowers and flags

Armed only with bouquets you’ll never see

I struggle to tamp down sorrow and angst

Standing in front of where you shouldn’t be

*~*

I trace your death date with trembling fingers

Cursing the fall, and the ways that I failed

To banish solitude, where you lingered

Behind locked doors and undoubtedly wailed

*~*

Believing we’d left you behind, alone

You failed to thrive once you finally came home