Janet Rattay

MY FORTITUDE… BE BRAVE, BE STRONG

How many times have I been told
Be brave, be strong, these words so bold

It was hard to watch my father die
Did he know I too was dying inside

I held it together to ease his pain
I didn’t cry as I whispered his name

I love you dad I want you to know
A daughter’s love from my heart did flow

So hard to watch my brother die
Did he know I too was dying inside

“I want to live.” he said to me
But sadly that was not to be

Gone before I could say goodbye
My final words were yet denied

So hard to believe my sister died
She died alone and for days I cried

Some people said she’s now at peace
Words are spoken for grief to cease

My mother’s death was quick and fast
She the first but not the last

Courage helped to see me through
Amid trying times my person grew

Fortitude came from deep inside
Hearts rise and fall like the tide

Short lived these four but each one gave
To me the lessons on how to be brave.

Submitted for the April 2007 IWVPA Club Theme Project, “Fortitude”