I Love You! I’ll Miss You. Say Hi!
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Sue Cook
Dedicated to Andrew Cannova
It was time.
You heard the call.
Leaving all behind to join the party.
The body fails
but the spirit soars.
Years ago you teased me –
Meanness personified.
But we both knew it was a facade.
Your bravado? Facade.
Your temper? Facade.
Two cousins huddled
in the back of my Daddy’s car
as he outran a tornado.
The back window going black –
you thought it fun,
so did I.
Your words made me forget
the funnel chasing us.
I remember you
riding your horse, Velvet.
Reining and spinning in circles.
You were my hero
at the horse shows.
My pony tried to decapitate
me with a kick.
You laughed.
So did I…eventually.
The magic was in your words –
mostly foul,
Usually entertaining.
Daddy would shake his head in frustration.
Soft muttering, usually in Italian.
Giving Daddy work saved him.
Death had stolen so much of his soul,
but you gave him everything.
Then no more Daddy
and without the anchor,
words took you away.
I found you years later,
told you I loved you.
Words were hard for you
but I knew love was returned.
Your boys, a testament
of the good Father you became.
Soft whispers,
gentle mummers.
You were so tired of the fight.
Your spirit wanted to soar.
Words of love released your soul.
I can imagine the welcome you received!
Hugging,
hollering
food –
Daddy prepared the feast.
All of Heaven rejoiced
in the feast at your homecoming –
BBQ, pasta, and blooming onions!
Words will always bind us.
Love ya, Cuz!
Don’t swear too much up there.
——————
If you would like to read more poetry, consider these.
Sue Cook lives in Freeport, Illinois with her husband Randy and two dogs. Her passions include assistance dogs, rescue dogs, music, acting, theater, poetry, and Doctor Who. She’s been in both film and theater and is a regular cast member of the podcast Doctor Who’s Line is it….Anyway? Sue is an advocate for the use of Service Dogs to assist their disabled handlers to maintain their independence. Quigley’s Quest, her first children’s book, addresses how a dog becomes a Service Dog.
