Eternal Gratitude
ETERNAL GRATITUDE
(Dedicated to the memory of my parents*)
My beloved parents,
Humbly,
Before the altar of your memory, I kneel
Wishing this little “poem” of mine to offer
A down payment of my eternal gratitude
For bringing me to life
Undeniably difficult it is for me
All you have done for me, to name
So, only to a few of your actions, I will refer
Forgive me for having only that to say.
Worth mentioning, that you would agree,
Are the things both of you have shown:
Your heroism, your suffering, your selfless sacrifice
For up to bring the family and to keep all of us alive.
The nights, I remember vividly, you passed
Standing at my side, trying to help me as you could
When the threshold of death approached
Thrice, ready for the dark oblivion to fly.
Also, the days when both of you struggled valiantly
A slice of bread to find,
To feed all the six of us and to help us survive.
Your health, your youth, your leisure
Both of you, did, for us surrender
Leaving thus this ephemeral world
Just in your early forties.
Your anguish only to imagine I can
How we alone would survive
For all the six of us, children were
From three and up fifteen
Your souls are now aware
We orphans were by GOD adopted
Each has nothing anymore to fear
For are by Him protected.
In peace, let your souls rest
Close to our divine Father
For your children, children have
And they, in their turn, have children!
© Demetrios Trifiatis
09 February 2013
* I come from an impoverished family of eight. Two died when an infant and the other six survived and lived on four different continents: Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania, having children and grandchildren. Thus my mother’s wish to have many children, so they spread out and “Occupy” the whole world, has materialized for the most part! Thank GOD for granting my mother, her Wish! I have lived, studied, and taught in Canada for eighteen years. Members of my family live there, and they have children and grandchildren.
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment