Reading Between the Lines (for my Dad)

A poem/lyrics for my dad who passed away one week ago from this date.

Reading Between the Lines
(for my Dad)


Sitting here on Christmas Eve
And it’s been seven days since you had to leave.
Threw off your mortal coil to struggle no more.
Still hard to believe you’re gone
And I’m struggling for words to write this song
When I’ve never had a loss for them before.

The greatest thing you gave me
Was the lesson that each life is a story
And you’ve got to learn to read between the lines.
It is something I’ve lived by
And will treasure each day up until I die.
Each story is sacred and all intertwine.

Take pause; understand.
Read between the lines.
Help your fellow man
Because what they’re going though
Could be the same for you
Someday.

As you looked in the eyes of
A wife that you shared forty-five years of love
And life, we all watched you take that final breath.
Your story finally told
And even though this book of yours is now closed
Each word and line will linger on past your death.

Take pause; understand.
Read between the lines.
Help your fellow man
Because what they’re going through
Could be the same for you
Someday.

I’ve tried living like you taught.
Some, they come easy. Some, harder than I thought.
Listening and helping all those in duress.
The day that I pass away,
If I’ve written my life half of what they say
About you, I’ll consider it a success.

I’m taking pause to understand.
I’m breathing between the lines.
Take heed my fellow man.
A helping hand will work so much better
When you find our stories link together
Each day.

Jim “Legion” Shifflett
24 DEC23