WHEN APRIL WENT AWAY

           Dear
 father, I'm sorry for waiting so long to write 
 To you this letter,
 At that time I was only seven as you know so 
 I tried hard not to remember.
 I was once your son, you were the hero that a 
 Boy would not see again in this lifetime,
 It all seemed in some way easier as a child 
 Because I could go away, disappear.
 Forget about you I did not wish to do and the  
 Pain grew as I dreamed this not true,
 Did you think of me, while you were going away 
 On your journey that night so long ago,
 Are you in heaven watching, listening, or do
 You ever read my writing of the world,

 On the eleventh of that day, you remain the same but if you would have stayed, Ninety would be you.

        When April went away I now know that god had his plan, at that time a boy could not understand,

     I lost you dad and that changed me forever, I survived and made it through but without you, here I am.

                            Keith Garrett