Working Away From Home Poem by Jesus Diaz Llorico

"I had been working
away from home…
for a long time
and I have not seen
how my two children grow up
my oldest, a daughter
luckily I have seen
on her first few years
but my son I have not seen
since his infancy
how he grew up…
his every day in school
and many other boy's secrets
and experience
their mother is the only one
they knew in life
any problems that may arise
it's always their mother they look upon

my children are now in their teens
my daughter at 19 has a boyfriend
and it's her mother
who knew everything
my son at 15 is so engrossed in basketball
his idol is her sister's boyfriend
little did he know that his Papa was once
a very good basketball player
who could give enough advise
just like any normal trainer
to their eyes, I am only their Papa
a father who is abroad working for them
no problems whatsoever
who never get hurt
a strong individual who never cry
never had a conscience and who can stay
abroad without missing them

being away for more than twenty years
I am resigned to my fate
but I know my children well
they are so religious
so good and obedient
the best children any father
would want to be
a tribute to my wife who nurtured
them in the best possible way
but Inside their hearts I know
they hurt as well
for the father figure they are
looking all their lives
is not on their side
not to console with them
in their hour of need
or to play with them
in their time of joy
I know I will not be missed
if I'm gone
that's the way it goes
I will just be one of the fathers
that will easily be forgotten
and will never be missed."