Anniversaries (November 10, 2018)

From the safety

Of time and distance

I write these words.

In honour and respect

To those people

(Men and women)

Who paid ultimate price

For our rights and freedoms.

Lesson taught

By my immigrant father.

Young Dutch child

Under Nazi occupation

Week prior to 9th birthday

He was liberated

(May 5, 1945).

This Sunday

Centennial anniversary

Of World War I armistice

And the twentieth

Since his death.

Whenever possible

He watched them

Marching to local cenotaph

Veterans and young children

In solemn parade.

Whether or not

My brother and I

Were involved.

As if

Keeping silent vow made

Many years ago

In another country

When a child.

Thanking

Those anonymous men

Who wore Canada

On their uniform

With pride and dignity.

From his failing hands

The torch is passed

Into mine

Still lit.

Continuing the remembrance

Of ultimate selfless sacrifice

These men and women

Have gave us.

Therisa © 2018

Author’s note: Tomorrow, November 15, 2018, will mark the 20th anniversary of the my dad’s death from brain damage, caused by a fatal heart attack on a Friday the 13rd, in 1998. My dad survived almost 36 hours after all live support equipment was removed from him, per his wishes. My dad was many things to me, the least of all, an enigma, who kept his inner feeling about his love ones, to himself. Despite of this, he was the emotional pillar that kept me going, during times of emotional distress and sorrow. Thank you, dad.

For those, who don't know me, November 10-20th, is the hardest emotional period of the year, which my chronic depression is, at its zenith. As I battle SAD, on top of this. As many people have noticed the dramatic decline in poetic output on my part.