Chapter You Are Here; I Am There Poem by chris schwartz

My Mind often wanders
To the gravestone
In the foothills of Oakhill.
The pigtails don't jump up and down
Waiting for him, Still.
It's been many long years
Since he left
But I still see him today
A fifteen hour drive
To visit my own,
But in their eyes,
I've faded away.
Guess that's just how it's
Supposed to be
In the graveyard of life,
One hand reaching out for
The young hand
That has given you life.
They remember the flowers
Circled around the pine tree,
But they're too busy scrambling
Their Young Ones,
To take a breath for me.
Fast forward in years
Seems like days to me now
Still remember you
Bringing home
The Muskie you caught
On the Rock.
I don't mind telling you
I'm proud you've made it
Somehow,
Hanging out with the pigtails
In Oakhill,
Looking back
Holding hands,
For all that was lost.
And all that was promised.
Jump up and down.
Let your daughter's
Pigtails,
Flail all around.
Be the daddy she remembers,
Long after,
They put
Him in the ground.
My eyes will still be smiling
With love
All around.