The parting glass… Remembering kind faces..


The parting glass….

In 2022, My dear mother and my baby sister left my words. I miss my mother’s kind words and dear Holly. She was my biggest fan for my writing. I have sang the parting glass often and now. I am the old one in a larger family. We must be the example for the children. Today I remember my mother, my sister and my father Jack.


The greatest man I ever know. My father Jack.
Died on 29 January 2020.
96 year, he was.
Was a WW2 veteran, fought in the battles of Germany.
He was a police officer,
he was a champion bowling.
He was a preacher in the church.
He taught forgiveness, love and kindness.
He was a mentor to me.
We would sit and talk,
we would watch the baseball games.
He would take out his guitar and sing his songs.
I saved him once and he saved me often.
His home had a wide open door for me and the family.
He would tell me,
Johnnie, you did good.
You raised strong and wise children.
I did thank him, I believe, not enough.
He was a safe place for me and now I try to be like him.
I speak no negative words to my children,
my door is always wide open for them.
A room, always empty when they feel confused and alone.
Need a safe place to rest.


I miss you my father,
I miss your voice.
I am trying to be like you.
I know one day when I am done.
You and I will sit together,
discuss everything and I will hear your laugher again.


You had no funeral. The coronavirus days.
I said goodbye to you at Lake St. Clair.
I burn some sage and I sang the parting glass song for you.


Thank you my father.
Dancing Coyote
Category : poetry
Tags : , , , , ,