Father Poem by Kurt Philip Behm

Once you had arms
that held me so tight

Once you had legs
that stood up for right

Once you had eyes
that could see in the dark

Once your strong hands
plotted courses to chart

Once we would walk
and the birds would proclaim

Once we would sing
and the heavens refrained

Once we thought time
was our servant and slave

Once, before war
we forgot and forgave

Now that you're gone,
my memory's gone dark

Now that you're gone,
paths unwalked in the park

Now that you're gone,
surname given and fast

Now that you're gone
—my heart beats in the past

(Villanova Pennsylvania: January,2020)