For my father

Passing

It saddens me to watch
The paling of nature under your skin
The years you weathered
Once so strong
Have now given way to
The battering of one storm
Defenseless, it would seem
Dependent on a strength
Unattainable by once hulking limbs
Tragic is the loss which
The forest has taken
Roots, once firm in
Rich earthen soil, are
Replaced now by seedlings,
Naive, rich only in youth
The umbrella of protection
Has given way to
The undaunted
Rains of nature.

Author - Paul J Haldy

In memory
Philip S Haldy
March 6, 1934 - June 9, 2000