Hello Again

Hello, again

Do you hear me

There?

I’m thinking of you

Today

But then I think of you

A lot

Most days remembering

How lucky I was to have

Dad

You weren’t perfect

You had your problems

Who doesn’t?

But you were my dad

And I was daddy’s girl

My pops,

 Always there when I needed you

Ready with advice or help

Present

Nurturing my love of history

My love of Celtic music and coins

Giving knowledge

The love you shared with my mother

Inspired me,

It was obvious in the looks you gave

How much you loved her

Gestures

The way you indicated

That you revered her

Taught me much

I miss you dad

I miss your goofy smile

Your big-hearted gestures

Your laugh

But I remember your last words

I want my kids to be okay

Will you be okay?

And dad I am

But I still miss you,

Especially today

Happy birthday Dad

Love you 

©Sheilagh Lee  April 12, 2015

Three Word Wednesday- Miss you still

Three Word Wednesday- Miss you still

Chilly, adjective: uncomfortably cool or cold; (of a person) feeling cold; unfriendly.

Glorious, adjective: having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration; having a striking beauty or splendor that evokes feelings of delighted admiration.

Petite, adjective: (of a woman) having a small and attractively dainty build; small, dainty, diminutive, slight, little, tiny, elfin, delicate, small-boned.

You were never petite

You were larger than life

It seemed, a glorious vision

Of beauty and brains

I was proud of you

Maybe a little jealous too

Of your easy way

Of grabbing all the attention

All the air in a room

You knew your own mind

Yet you felt displaced

When I come along

To add to the family

Still you took in stride

Reached out to me

Offering the big sister

Advice, demanding the accolades

Puzzled by the differences between us

The peer pressure too strong

You became a little distant and chilly

In your teen years

An island to yourself

I missed the closeness

We once had

I hoped to get it back

I cannot shoulder all the blame

Neither of us were perfect

But I walked on eggshells

And was always reaching out

Was it all one sided

Or were you just so puzzled still?

Reaching out and being rebuffed

Striving to return to days past

But it was not to be

Life got in the way

First boyfriends

Husbands, then babies

Finally time ran out

Death came too soon

Now there are only recriminations

Self-doubts and regret

Sadness when I think of you

And the relationship

We could have had

For I love you still.

©Sheilagh Lee  March 25, 2015

Honour

We honour you

 Who gave the greatest sacrifice

To protect kin and country

On distance shore

We honour

The sacrifices you made

The time you gave

The promises you cannot now keep

For mistakes made by other troops 

Have taken your life

We shall not condemn

Though it grieves us so
When the people
We help 
Blame

For you all fight

To stop the evil

But our Canadian life

Snuffed out too soon

Shall not be forgotten

We honour you

For  terrorism

Touches us all

We believe in your fight

Thank you

 ©Sheilagh Lee  March 7, 2015

RIP Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron

Dreaming big

I am strong today

I have won half the battle

And feel less pain

I have triumphed over the monster

Who seethes inside me 

Waiting for his chance to pounce

He has been beaten down

And must hide

He cannot steal my breath away

He cannot steal my energy today

He can only sit quietly 

In his dark corner

Simmering waiting for an edge

But I shall stamp him  down

For I want to fly again

Dream big and write

My stories begging to be told

Computer in lap

They begin to unfold

Happiness ensues.

                                              ©Sheilagh Lee  February 26, 2015

Three Word Wednesday - The Magic of Christmas

Three Word Wednesday - The Magic of Christmas

Alive, adjective: (Of a person, animal, or plant) living, not dead; (of a feeling or quality) continuing in existence; continuing to be supported or in use; (of a person or animal) alert and active; animated; having interest and meaning.

Glaring, adjective: Giving out or reflecting a strong or dazzling light; staring fiercely or fixedly; highly obvious or conspicuous.

Misty, adjective: Full of, covered with, or accompanied by mist; (of a person's eyes) full of tears so as to blur the vision; indistinct or dim in outline; (of a color) not bright; soft.   

   

The Magic of Christmas

Alive~

 I shake off the dust of illness

Recovery is nigh despite the glaring

Shadow of re-occurrence

I will not doubt that I shall overcome

The misty shadowy thing that stalks me

I shall grab happiness and health

With both hands I embrace
 The joyous season of love and hope

And rejoice in family, friends, and love

The inner glow of joy shall keep me

Whole and well to enjoy

This Christmas once more.

©Sheilagh Lee  December 17, 2014

Three Word Wednesday- Distrust

Three Word Wednesday- Distrust

Prompts: Distrust, noun: Mistrust, suspicion, wariness, chariness, leeriness, lack of trust, lack of confidence; skepticism, doubt, doubtfulness, cynicism; misgivings, qualms, disbelief; verb: Mistrust, be suspicious of, be wary/chary of, be leery of, regard with suspicion, suspect; be skeptical of, have doubts about, doubt, be unsure of/about, have misgivings about, wonder about, disbelieve (in).

Hopeful, adjective: Optimistic, full of hope, confident, positive, buoyant, sanguine, expectant, bullish, cheerful, lighthearted; informal upbeat; promising, encouraging, heartening, inspiring, reassuring, auspicious, favorable, optimistic, propitious, bright, rosy; noun: Candidate, aspirant, prospect, possibility; nominee, competitor, contender; up-and-comer.

Tolerant, adjective: Open-minded, forbearing, broad-minded, liberal, unprejudiced, unbiased; patient, long-suffering, understanding, forgiving, charitable, lenient, indulgent, permissive, easygoing, lax; laid-back.

  Distrust 

Distrust of authority

Hopeful people

Embrace protest

Expecting that tolerance

And justice

Will prevail

But fiery, drawn out words

Lead to violence

As the verdict

That there is no justice

Wafts over the crowd

The morally challenged
Strike out on both sides
And protest is viewed 
As troublesome
Because a few
Bad apples who harm
Properties and they destroy

The good voices 
Lost in some eyes
The cause still good
Justice may still prevail
But morale low
As the town burns

©Sheilagh Lee November 26, 2014

There are good people in Ferguson read this http://rt.com/usa/209435-ferguson-bakery-donations-rebuild/

We Remember

They fought hard and long

To achieve those freedoms

Fighting and killing others

That hurt their very souls

They fought to save their countries

From tyranny and evil intent

They gave up their home lives

Their families and soil

To fight for kin and country

To save the world

They gave much

Now we revere them

Remember them

Immortalize them

We shall not forget

Their sacrifice

From sun up

To sundown

Each day we remember

Their forfeit

And honour their lives 

©Sheilagh Lee November 11, 2014

Family

Though the sun grows cold

And the earth welcomes you

We shall no forget your sacrifice

Your bravery, your valour

Will be remembered

Your gentle welcoming smile

Your glowing good nature

Shall not be forgotten

But revered and retained

In the memories and hearts

Of the nation

We will tell stories

In history books of you

The remembrance of

A life taken too soon

A child now without a father

We shall gather you both

To our hearts and minds

For you are our family

Canadian soldier, brave and strong

Our love pours out for you.

©Sheilagh Lee October 28, 2014

They gave their lives for their country and we are indebted to them for their bravery and valour.

Tears for our soldiers

Tears fall from my eyes 

My heart full

I grieve for you

You represented Canada

Your head held high

You guarded against

Those who sought to harm

Your life you gave

 Freely to protect

Our way of life

You are our heroes

We can but offer

Our prayers and tears

That you are lost to us

Taken by evil

They think we will lay down

We will not succumb

We will not be silenced

Or dismissed

We will fight for our rights

That women and men 

Fought hard for

We are Canadian

Strong and free

We love our country

We stand on guard for thee.

As you did with your lives for us

We shall not forget

Nor will we slumber

But guard against those

Who took your lives

So your sacrifice

Shall not be in vain.

©Sheilagh Lee October 22, 2014 

RIP Cpl Nathan Cirrillo at the War Memorial and the soldier Warrant officer, Patrice Vincent who was murdered by the driver of a car.
They gave their lives for their country and we are indebted to them for their bravery and valour.

Toronto Football Club

Red and gold they’re our men

They’ll defeat Chivas or nobody can

Fighting in the corners

Running down the line

No offsides, no terror of losing

Though it’s all on the line

For #TFC is fearless

They’ll give it their all

For their fans are behind

Them all the way

Game face on

We support the #Reds

Our love for our team

Cheers for #TFC

Jeers for the enemy

At  every  game.

©Sheilagh Lee September 21, 2014