It's hard to explain - but sometimes I just "get in a mood". Things pop into my head from nowhere - or so it seems - and I have to stop and write them down before they go off into the recesses of my mind, to never return.
So this post is one of those times. I woke up with it and typed it out in one setting.
There is a lot of emotion associated with it. So here goes....
STAND TALL
When I was two, mom went away
I called for her, but she didn’t hear
My Granny said she’d be there for me
As she wiped away every tear
I had to let my mommy go
But I didn’t understand why
I couldn’t make her love me
So I finally said goodbye
My Daddy left when I was five
And again when I was eight
Men came and took him away
And put him behind an iron gate
‘Mamaw’ and ‘Papaw’ took me in
Their love was soft and strong
She brushed my hair, made my clothes
And taught me right from wrong
I can’t remember a time in life
When I felt more secure
Mamaw and Papaw’s hearts were big
I’ll be here forever I’m sure
Dad came back when I was ten
And took us far away
Texas was no longer home
In California we now stay
Dad stood tall at six foot two
He was an anchor in my storm
New life, new friends, we now made
California became the norm
But time moves on
As loved ones come and go
Life didn’t change much
For about twenty years or so
The time came to calm the fears
Of a man struggling for air
Surely this is too much for me
This is a pain I cannot bear
He loved me when I defied his rules
And when I worried his heart
He loved me when I was close by
And even when far apart
I tightly held my Fathers hand
And prayed that he not die
But die he did, there in my arms
Yet again I said goodbye
Then five years later
My first love walked away
My God, I thought
Will ever I see the light of day?
In three years time, a child was born
He became the center of my world
Such joy in life I had never known
And a bright new day unfurled
Within three months I got the call
“There's been an accident”, they said
John, too, is now gone
And another love is dead
Time softens the blows of a chaotic world
For this mother and her son
I’m now the older generation
And a new cycle has begun
My son faced the pain
Of a Father that abandoned us both
Anger, sadness and finally peace
As he steps up and takes an oath
The cycle of life moves on
In a world that’s a challenge to all
Somehow we find the strength God offers
As he teaches us how to Stand Tall.
JeaSantino 09/25/2022
Photo by: Joe Plenio - Pixabay