A Child's Conversation

What is given up when we allow our egos to rule our actions. Maybe there is still time to connect on some level.

A Child’s Conversation

 

 

The old man sat on the park bench

And watched the children at play

Enjoying the wonderful weather

On a beautiful autumn day.

 

While sitting alone in thought

A child tired of play

Would come to rest upon the grass

By the bench while trees did sway

 

Hello, he said as he looked to him

The old man politely answered back

The boy started up a conversation

With questions he never did lack

 

What are you doing there mister?

Thinking of my son, the man would say

Where is he was the next question?

My son has gone away

 

Does he live with his mommy like I do?

The young child would say

Pointing to her standing

By the children there at play

 

My daddy has gone to heaven

I wish he were here with me

Why did God take my dad?

Was the next question there would be

 

The old man with an empty look

was wondering what to say

While thinking of old memories

In times of yesterday

 

Mister did you hear me?

I really miss my dad

Not having him around with us

Makes me and mommy sad

 

What reason could the old man give?

Even now he could not say

Why was he there on this bench?

With loved ones gone away

 

I guess God really misses him

And needs him there too

Was the only thing the old man could say

What else was there to do?

 

I know my mommy loves me

But there are things she cannot do

Things I’d like to do with dad

Things only daddy could ever do

 

The old man with his head bent

Took a deep breath with a sigh

While thinking of opportunities

With his son he never tried

 

Mister do you like to play ball

Or fish once in awhile?

The little boy with wide eyes

Would ask him with a smile

 

I don’t know I’ve never tried

These things I’ll never do

My son once asked these very questions

And now you’ve asked them too

 

Why haven’t you tried them?

A question from the lad

And searching for the answer

Made the old man very sad

I always thought there would be time enough

With the time I had in store

Now my son is no longer with me

So they’re gone forever more

 

I know just how you feel

The little boy would say

I see other boys with their dads

Always out to play

 

Someday I hope to find someone

A man just like my dad

Someone to take care of mom and me

I sure miss the fun we had

 

What did your son look like?

Did he look something like me?

Did he ever like to swing on swings?

Or try to climb a tree?

 

Mom doesn’t like it when I try them

She worries I’ll get hurt I know

Or maybe, she’s afraid I’ll leave like dad

And that would hurt her so

 

Mister, did you hear me?

What do you remember of your son?

Did he ever play in the dirt with worms?

What other things would he have done?

 

The questions from this young boy

Weighed heavy on the man

Could something be done to heal the hurt?

With the time still left at hand

 

I know your name, the old said

Its Jimmy isn’t that true?

My name is Dave and my son was Paul

My son would do them too

Your son’s name was Paul, said the boy

That’s the name mom called my dad

We’d play all these games when he came home

I sure miss the fun we had

 

Dave would you play with me?

There are so many games we can do

Could we play ball or have a catch

Just play a game or two

 

I would like that very much

Said the old man to his young friend

They’d play some games on the grass

Until the day would end

 

And when the day was over

Enjoying the fun they had

Just Jimmy and his new best friend

The man he’d call grandad