Jido Poem by George Vernon

The identifiable shine traced his face
Disbursed the kindness of his heart; a deep embrace
Barriers deteriorate; the strength of a hug; louder than tongue
His name, passed onto me.
It meant nothing cause I was too young
To care; but I realized the essential blessing
Cried when he first held the little guy his name was kept in
I was a sanctuary to him
Along with his children; shined light on all that was grim

Was hard to see the true him ‘n I wish I could’ve; wasn’t fun
Virtually smackin’ myself; feelin’ guilty for the cancer in his lungs.
Didn’t think his death would be this hard to deal with
Thought I wouldn’t care ‘cause I had no one to feel with.
Watched him suffer, procrastinatin’ to see ma Jido
Ignorin’ the sniveling looks; ta save tears till after I let go

Everyday I pray to the God I don’t believe in
Wishin’ I’m wrong; so I can smile ta heaven
And know you’ll smile back
You’re alive inside of me; I’m reminiscin’ the days I slacked
My bitter ways distorted our relationship; it was faith I always lacked
I search to find harmony in this life of mine; livin’ wit ignorance
Has become clearer, ‘cause you gave me forgiveness.

I remember your last days in the hospital
Got the call from my cryin’ mother; knew it was vital
Realized it was too late, you’ll never see the me I wanted to relate
Was at work thinkin’ bout seeing you before you go
By the time I reached my conclusion, it was too late for you to know.
We surrounded the bed watchin’ you depreciate
Counted the time; last savored hours to appreciate
Harkin’ back to who my Jido truly was,
Discovered what your love to me really was
And I know you waited for your last daughter
To arrive and give you that one last order
Permission to face death;
Ta know we’ll be alright after your last breath.

The last drops of saline water
Dripped onto our cheeks; and nothing has ever been harder
Than to watch him scream from the top of his silent lungs;
His soundless mouth speaking his last words in tongue;
Surrounding the bed while my mother cries;
And his unmovable hand waving to his family, goodbye.