Poems for Dad.

1. Eight years
 have passed
 since
 you
 passed
 my pen
 hasn't
 spoken
 of it
 in so long
 yet
 it has lingered
 on my
 mind
 in the shadows
 I think
 of the words
 you wrote
 on
 Julieann's death
 In the mirror
 I see
 my
 old man
 and
 leaning
 back
 MYSELF.

 2. The
 Death
 of
 HEART
 in
 my life
 my family
 our society
 I didn't feel
 like
 it was
 just
 you
 who was
 buried
 on that
 day
 previous
 love poems
 became
 like poison
 and
 sickened me
 the world
 was
 IS
 ILL
 and at that
 time
 in
 my heart
 I
 was
 too.

 3.  Wisdom
 escaped
 your mouth
 like a
 jailbreak prisoner
 a
 political
 prisoner
 "There are NO
 just wars"
 you said
 "If invaders
 came
 to this land
 we would
 fight them
 in the streets
 too"
 you argued.
 I agreed
 and agree
 now.
 Maybe
 just
 maybe
 you were more
 a
 lefty
 than you
 thought.

 4.  I haven't
 visited
 your
 grave
 since
 that day
 we spread
 your ashes
 on the cemetery
 hill
 I inhaled
 some
 so
 I
 guess
 We
 are
 inseparable
 even
 in death.

 5. The Ancient
 hill
 of
 Lasswade
 last resting
 place
 of my
 ancestors
 The Reids
 Sprinkles
 of my
 lost sister
 and
 Elements
 of
 My Dad
 Three
 generations
 this place
 has
 a story
 and
 a beautiful
 view.

 6.   Potter row
 homes a university
 and mosque
 now
 Imrie place
 holds
 an
 Iceland Store
 British
 Heart
 Foundation
 Chest
 Heart
 and
 Stroke
 through
 these places
 you
 still speak
 in
 Echoes.

 7.  I can
 barely remember
 the words
 I wrote
 straight after
 that event
 they said
 something
 about
 you dead
 on the stair
 balloons
 on beaches
 in
 Bognor Regis
 still
 could
 not reach you
 I feel like
 you are on
 another planet
 but know
 you are
 gifted
 to the world.

 8. Maybe
 you have
 went to
 a far away
 land
 I cannot
 reach
 like
 Orkney
 Sincerely
 though
 I believe
 Heaven is
 here
 if
 we want
 it
 to be
 or have you
 escaped
 hell
 and
 I
 am
 confused
 Je Ne sais Pas!


 8. We have walked
 together
 down
 both
 Roslin
 and Bilston
 glens
 Flotterstone
 The Pentlands
 The Bush
 Straiton Pond
 Roslin Curling pond
 now reclaimed
 by
 wildness
 I think
 death
 is one
 journey
 you must
 walk
 alone.......
 for
 now....


 9. That old
 grey tie
 you wore
 in Rosslyn
 Chapel
 for my
 christening
 is now
 in my
 possession
 passed
 to me
 I hope
 your
 strength
 and
 power
 resides in
 it.