Come, sit with me and read awhile,
Let me share the warmth of your smile.’
You often said this when I was young,
And I was always happy to read along...
I recall the innumerable times you read,
A bedtime story, while my sleepy head,
Nodded off...and when I awoke,
I may not recall the last words you spoke...
Childhood memories,
Come to mind;
More precious now,
Since you’ve left us behind...
With a lifetime of memories,
And a house full of books,
The values you taught us,
A resemblance in looks...
So little remains,
So much has passed;
So much unsaid,
So much unasked...
I recall your last days;
Your once-strong frame,
Weakened by cancer;
You, calling my name...
‘What are you writing now?
You asked me one day;
‘Shall I read some lines to you?’
I hear myself say.
So we sit together,
And I read for a while;
We talk of old times,
And share the warmth of your smile...
Now, as I clean up your silent room,
Stack books on shelves, wipe the dust away,
Your photograph on the wall,
Seems, to me, to say:
‘Come, sit with me and read awhile,
Let me share the warmth of your smile...’