A DAUGHTER LEFT ALONE

At the mere age of almost seven, I can recall
my Dad leaving the house, kissing my Mom good bye.
In a child's voice, I asked dad when he will be back
He said, "It won't be long."

I don't understand why Daddy can't come home.
I miss him so; I need a hug and tucked in my bed.

I woke up this morning to find a gentleman in our house.
A nice looking man, with a strong face
He is making my Mommy cry,
Why is he here?

Somebody, should call Daddy
for my Mommy won't stop crying
She may need a hug and tucked in bed, too.

Mom, dressed me and my sister up
We all went to a quite building
There are all kinds of people here, some I know, and some I don't
They all are full of tears

"And who are those guys?" I asked my Mom.
She just said, "They are here to guard your Dad."
"What has dad done, that he needs men with guns to guard him?"
She said, "Sheila, I am sorry, but your Dad is not coming home,
He has gone to the Lord's house; this is just those men's' job."

I am still not sure why they had to guard my Dad,
I just want to say hi! I miss him so.

Everyone is leaving now and Mom takes my hand.
We are outside, but we are walking up to some chairs.
Why is there a hole here?
Can someone tell me what is going on?

Mom is crying again, and I just want my Daddy.
(I know he could tell me what is going on.)

A man stood up, and said a few words.
Then "Mommy! Mommy! Why are they shooting at us?"
Mom, could not answer; no one would speak,
I was sat back down in my chair,
praying for Dad to come and save me.
Why are they playing music?
I don't think I like that song, it is making everyone sad.

Now they are putting a large silver box in the ground,
They are burying it. Mom will be upset, she does not
like it when we dig wholes and bury things.
Why isn't my Mom telling them they are being bad,
and make them clean that mess up?

We'll she never made them clean the mess up.
But she finally took me home.
I was hoping dad would be there, for I could tell him of
this awful place,
but he was not.

I have been waiting.
The days turned into weeks
the weeks into months
the months into years
the years turned into more years
and Now I realize
I am a Daughter Left Alone

It has been but 35 years.
Dad has not come home.
All I am told, it is that nasty thing called War

I have struggled with this fact; 'Dad is not coming home'
but it never stopped me hoping that someone made a mistake,
That my dad was on his way home, he said 'it won't be long'.

I have cried
I have prayed
I have cursed
I have screamed
but none of it brought my dad home.
I am a Daughter Left Alone.

There is a ray of sunshine that can seep through a cloud
For I have found mine, 35 years 1 month 9 days later.
I have found David, a very special man.
He was a man who new my Dad, while in that awful place,
and finally found me, to help with the pain.

David has his pain and I have mine.
But now, we can help each other,
because of the Soul and Heart of one man, that touched us both,
My Father, 'Jake'

If you are a Daughter that was left alone.
Don't give up; there are more rays of sun.
If you are a veteran, give your friends Daughter
something to hold on to.
Their memories and your thoughts,
For we all need not to be left alone.

©August 4, 2002 by Sheila Sherfick