For Dad
Great man of my life,
I think of you,
remembering
the times we shared stories of our days around the dining room table, laughing.
Your quiet confidence and humility as you shared about life and
played your favourite songs
Tales from Vienna Woods,
Let it be,
Hey Jude,
Long and winding road and
My way…
When I was a young, older and older still
you wore a vest
sitting at the dining-room table
reading a Louis L’amour cowboy book,
drinking a Hansa,
and following your horse racing
from a box radio beside you
Not that long ago I made the journey in a local bus,
from Kitwe to our first home
Chingola.
remembering the copper mine,
the football
at Ndola
Mufulira
Nchanga
the holidays – long tiresome trips through Beit Bridge to
Scottborough
the joy of the sea
you fishing
high diving
us swimming, playing, living and loving life.
And then place where I knew you,
Durban.
Remembering
Berea Road
Stationery Box – your last born
window dressing early on a Saturday morning
serving customers
the Ocean View Hotel
surprise peace offerings
your joy and pride as you shared
whole chickens, toasters and more.
arms full of chocolates
for the kids
Remembering
your death.
The panic, the suddenness
And then the peace
I heard you say softly to mum,
“I love you Katy”
remembering
your gentleness
your love
the cards you wrote mum on her birthdays
And then
the early morning call – you had left
Great man of my life
with grateful thanks for the inspiration, Paulette Coetzee