Picture

It stands on a bookcase shelf in the kitchen. A picture of my father and me. "Chillin'" at our favorite watering hole, Smiles and seemingly happy, Don't know why this one time, Brought the surf wave of pain, at that point, I'd successfully glanced at it, dozens of times at home, And it was merely a keepsake for this joint, But this time I really paid heed, And, I can tell you, my heart started to bleed, We were so happy, with identical shirts, Reading the paper, engaging in flirts with skirts, Playing our Quick Draw, Rubbin' our scratch offs Talking with pals, Joking with the bartender, Laughing with gals. Those days are over, And that realization did hurt, Yet another bow to the power of death, The embezzler of once dreamy hopes, Now reduced to but counterfeit Living in a world without him Somehow the lights grew dim No more "riding shotgun" in my car, No more bantering at the bar, No more grocery shopping for two, No one to share a meal with you, No one to complain to of your pain, No one to share an umbrella with, in the rain... No Goodnights! No more I Love You Just a world grown so blue It's not my fault, I remind myself, But God' will, In wisdom I can't see, Because his loss ripped the heart out of me.