Big Papa

there was no big speech,

perhaps only some apologies after having 

thought about this moment for the last year,

having no brilliant or deep thoughts to share with us,

perhaps only some brief annoyance at the daughter-in-law

interrupting to ask for hot coffee,

this is his day.

and so, surrounded by us all, his eyes

misty, us all in attendence,

we listened to his heart

in silence,

we had seen the smiles, the tenderness,

the love, the sadness and anguish

at seeing the end that we will all see one day,

I can understand this.

in spite, or because,

he invited us all to join him here in our 

matching blue T-shirts, 

we would only wear them all for him

in love and appreciation.