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.