Go Oh Ahead
By Tom Streeter
(Courtesy Photo)
Go On Ahead
“Go on ahead, I’ll sit hear and wait
Come as far as I could, now make your tracks before it’s too late”
Slowly at first, then hurriedly I went along the shore
Out to a stretch of beach, a special place we had fished before
Turning around to see my father alone, sitting there
Far away, a shadow of the man, warm breeze blowing through his hair
Across the distance I thought I could see the sun in his eye
Body ravaged by the cancer, skeletal form, both now knowing he would soon die
By the water I stood, praying and remembering a time from the past
Watching him land that great fish not knowing his life would go so very fast
He appeared to be observing me almost as if he knew
What I was remembering about that day, sights, sounds, and smells so true
Wanting to go gather him up, bring him back to that time, help him escape his fate
Then finding myself by his side, helping him to stand , realizing it was too late
He felt cold, bones so heavy and close to his skin
A tear in his eye, “I’m sorry I couldn’t go out to where you had been”
Later driving him back to his little house on the hill of pleasant view
His voice calm and steady, his dark eyes, gentle breeze, sky brilliantly blue
Many days and nights have passed since saying goodbye and he lay dead
Though just today I heard him say, ”Have courage, feed your soul, go on ahead”