Love Letter Poem by John A'Hern

A Family home stands empty, dust has gathered where once the surfaces shone,
Silence instead of voices and laughter echoing through the home as in times now gone.
The day has arrived, dreaded, put off for so long,
Parents passed within weeks of one another, heartbreak if not strong.

Three Sons' gather with heavy hearts, the task before them a sad one,
They stand arm in arm giving courage to one another.
Front door opened, the house greeted them with eerie silence,
They stand in their own silence; it was going to be a long and sad day.

Personal belongings gathered and placed in bags
What to keep what to dispose of, oh so sad.
Bedroom drawers when opened, had their tears flowing,
Each item held and treasured as each relived their memories.
A letter is found then opened, a love letter to Mam from Dad,
The contents read aloud, occasionally stopping to control sobs.

You walked past my home and smiled a smile that made me glow,
A hello and hi were our first words.
We sat on a front garden wall and talked, both smiling at each other's stories.
Walking with you holding hands, I felt so proud
With each day that passed my feelings for you grew stronger.

Your smile soothed me when I lost control of all around me,
Your eyes so brown and dark, always showing your feelings,
Your voice, I could listen to forever.
Engaged with little changing in our love except for becoming stronger,
Choosing the ring was a marvellous time the choices were amazing
You knew the one and pointed it out, it has stayed with us together.

Our times together on a motorbike, your arms wrapped around me,
You enjoyed our times when you became my motorbike chick.
Marriage beckoned we answered the call,
The church our friends and family, memories live with me forever.

Three children, you brought into our world
Our love for them and each other grew even stronger,
Your strength in dealing with worries reassured as always.
Our home made more enjoyable because of your very presence,
You always knew when I needed your laughter more than ever.

We are now in what is called the twilight of our lives together
I lay awake at night worried about what tomorrow may bring,
I pray and hope that when the call comes that I may go before you,
I love and adore you my one and only true love forever.
A silence, yet more silence filled the home.

A letter placed on the keep pile that was growing larger
Finished, the Boys all agreed and walked out the front door,
A hand held the doorknob having trouble letting go,
The others came to the rescue, three hands joined and closed the door.
Once Children, now grown men with happy Families leave the scene.