"Goodbye"

Cameron
Sharon Center School
Litchfield County, CT

I look at him holding on for life
Hold his old, coarse hands in mine
My heart is slowly burning dim
I try to hold back the tears but I can’t.
I can’t find his shoulder to lean on so I keep falling down
I realize that I spent longer looking at his weakness instead of his heart
I can say, “I forgive you” before he leaves
I want to yell to remove my pain, but no words will form
I say a final goodbye to my old father
Who I wish was still there.