dear father...

i am at peace.

TL;DR — if your father’s still alive, take a walk and say the words you need to say.

---

---

dear father

dear father
who art
in the ground

• who-for-almost
  four years
  hasn't spoken
  a sound

who used to leap
tall buildings
in a bound

• who enjoyed
  a good fight
  whenever
  one-was-found

who used to love
to have his family
around

• who didn’t know
  about the cancer
  in his brain
  until it all
  came unwound

—

dear father
who art
in the ground

i am at peace

—

the world
is at war
but i
in my heart
am at peace

---

---

dear son

dear son
who writes poems
above ground

• who moved
  to New York City
  to create
  his own sound

i wish
we had-more-time
in the Sun

---

Coachella Valley — June 2023 — © dh

---

my late father

my late father
built a house
in the desert

• he decorated
  the walls
  with his paintings

then he died
too soon
at 76
just-shy-of 4,000
weeks

—

i was lucky
to share a dance
before he passed
and say the words
that needed saying

• i love you
  i thank you
  i forgive you
  i ask that you forgive me
  
  goodbye

---

saying goodbye

if you’re looking
for a father’s-day
catharsis

here it is

Monsters — James Blunt

… Oh, before they turn off all the lights
I won't read you your wrongs or your rights
The time has gone
I'll tell you goodnight, close the door
Tell you I love you once more
The time has gone
So here it is

… I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away

… Oh, well, I'll read a story to you
Only difference is this one is true
The time has gone
I folded your clothes on the chair
I hope you sleep well, don't be scared
The time has gone
So here it is

… I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away

… Sleep a lifetime
Yes, and breathe a last word
You can feel my hand on your arm
I will be the last one
So I'll leave a light on
Let there be no darkness, in your heart

… But I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away

songwriters:
Jimmy Hogarth / James Blunt / Amy Victoria Wadge

---

say the words

if your father’s
still alive
take a walk
and say the words
you need to say

—

carpe momentum

---

w/ darren harley

courageous conversations about the human condition
(freedom ~ mortality ~ loneliness ~ meaning)

🗣️ thanks for being here.