The older I get, the more I see my father in the bathroom mirror!

As I close my eyes, the vision becomes even clearer.

It’s more than thirty years,

Midst hardship and many tears.

Yet, as I stood shaving today,

It’s as if He had never gone away.

I know I look more like mum, with stubborn pride,

But what I saw, came from deep inside.

My dad is there in my daughters eyes,

And more clearly when she cries.

The presence is there, it never goes away.

Always there from day to day.

We can hurt each other without our aimless dash,

Our lives could end in an instant, some would say.

“What did He leave, was there any cash?”

Pride and vanity,

Unfortunately replaces sanity!

Each family follows the same mistake,

“What’s in it for me, what can I take?”

Life is not always a bed of roses,

You don’t feel the pain, or tears, until the door closes!

There is nothing to gain living with fears.

Look for the sunshine, during the living years.

Yes, dad was there once again in the mirror.

And, through the mist, it became a whole lot clearer!

— Dennis Freeman 2023©