Don’t look back, my daddy said when I was hurt,

You have to read when a girl is real or a big flirt,

So many things he said to me that now seem wise,

He was always right back then to my teen surprise,

I wonder do my children see the same things in me,

He was so wise in his advice and what he could see,

No man was a greater hero to me than my wise dad,

It’s sad that it took decades for me to see what I had,

Friends and peers came to me for answers if in need,

My wisdom came from my dad as I tried not to mislead,

As a teenager time rapidly passed until draft day came,

Tears ran down dad’s face when he saw the letter of claim,

I have had one goal for my life if truth is to be fully told,

Many dreams I’ve had of whom I’d marry and forever hold,

I announced to all of my future to be and what love is about,

That night on first sight I said I’d marry you without a doubt,

While overseas my letters of love never arrived to you,

My heart was broken from losing you, dear comrades too,

Overwhelmed even he, the wise man of a previous war,

Had little advice other than the tears will fade as before,

A man needs to cry so tears can cleanse his broken heart,

I was so fragile inside although I appeared whole in part,

A year had turned me gray from combat and my loneliness,

So many things I could do without but one I truly did miss,

Did I have my chance and the war took it away from me?

I’m a bigger man now but this emptiness, only I can see,

The hardness imprinted upon my face might remain I fear,

Death of warriors fogs my vision so, I no longer see clear,

Visions of you remain clear in memories that I hold dear,

My only cherished photograph is of you, it I can see clear,

I’ve traced your face so many times a halo has taken form,

Kissed your photographed lips so often it has become norm,

Oh daddy, my heart cries loud with every beat in my chest,

I’ll try to see her one last time and tell her she was the best,

I can think of nothing but her as my heart searches for a way,

To see her again, to kiss her lips, and say what I must say,

My soul is on fire from dreams and memories of holding you,

To see your car come down the hill towards my house too,

What makes me dream of you the whole night through?

Now the day has come for me to move the family away too,

Broken heart, flowing tears, and memories of war do fade,

Love remains in full deep within a soul even if not displayed,

As if the sun burst forth to awaken the love deep within me,

As you approach in your little car a beautiful future I can see.

The end, by Pat for Patti

I love you baby, I still dream of that day.