Don'T Go: A Father's Lament Poem by Ken Nye

Don’t go, little one.
Continue to believe that every smile you see
is from a heart that loves you.
Hold your little doll
as if your love gives it life.
Believe that it thrives on your devotion,
and that it dreams like you.

Don’t go.
Talk to the dog as to a brother.
Ponder a snowflake as proof of miracles.
Look upon summer as an endless season of adventure.
Trust that your mother and I will love
each other as much as we love you.
Don’t go.

Listen to stories with a belief that they are true.
Share in the joy of your friends;
hurt when they hurt.
Find goodness where I no longer can.
Don’t go.

The sparkle in your eyes reflects my heaven.
The love in your laughter is my god’s whisper.
You are all the proof I need.

Don’t go.