For Daddy

got up before dawn this morning
so that I could attend a Mass that was
said for you;
it doesn't mean much to me, of course,
but I guess you know that;
I went out of respect for you,
and what you believed,
and where you prayed.

tomorrow marks four years
since you died;
and just like before,
ever since then I've tried
to live up to your good name,
even to the extent
of often taking the blame
that doesn't belong to me;
it's the kind of man
that you taught me to be.

I guess I miss you most
when I'm put to the test,
when I'm nearly toast,
when I'm just like all the rest:
worn down, defeated;
tired of the struggle:
plenty of reasons to stay,
but many more to leave;
see you soon.



January 7, 2009.

Copyright © 2009, Ricky A. Pursley. All rights reserved.