Ode To Tai-Ana At Age Ten and Far Away

1 Oh, gentle child, how doth my heart still burn thine absence half a decade spent in vain to break the bonds that tie, that fett’ring chain that holds me from embracing thee, thyself in turn. Thine all enchanting smile, piercing eyes– thy flailing arms, the limbs, with rhythmic stroke – responses soundless to the silent words I spoke to thee before from thee Fate forced me from thy cries. I watched thee grow through temp’rate times of yore – remembering the gall’ry of my mind. ‘Twas all I had. 2 Oh, gentle child, how doth my heart still ache thy presence all too far in distant land where careless arms push thee with calloused hand away from mine where once I swore thee none could take. Thine eyes with tears I shared I shed alone so thou might never feel the agony the anguish, loss of my identity, thy father, thee my offspring, daughter, dearest one. I watched thee grow through chilling times, and more – remembering thy portrait in my mind. ‘Twas all I had. . 3 Oh, gentle child, how doth my soul yet yearn those many hours oft upon my breast thy head thou laid safe harbor for thy rest, thy questions, mind alert, thy hungering to learn. Thy voice I hear through dreams and zephyr breeze, thou lark by morn by eve the nightingale, as Dawn and Dusk, Aurora without fail, thou hast my heart and soul kept warm with ease. I watch thee grow, and will, forever more – remembering thy sculpture in my mind. ‘Tis all I have. 4 Until we are as one renewed some future date somewhere awaits when thou her servant dare to flee that which with thee so long accrued where here I love and there she hates that wily witch who bindeth thee. Break loose those prison bars that bind thy tired wings that flap in vain – Renew thy pledge at length to find thy youthful freedom once again. Then shalt thy flags fly high aloft while eagles scream thy freedom song, while robins chirp with redbreast, soft – all a capella – pure and long. Then both our souls shall share their peace, a father and his daughter, found to spend their lives on borrowed lease to live and die on hallowed ground. Thus, take, Tai-Ana, this, my prayer that fathers and their children hear of this solemnity that children here and everywhere ne’er shed a sad though soulful tear for all eternity. [Finis]