Vacation Day 1

I sat in a meditative state Released everything inside Hollowed out my being For a single parent whose son had died I drove a thoughtless road Until my destination was in view Roger was crying in the shop I didn't know what to do I hollered from behind him "A Diet Water please" I can always make him smile Even when sorrow is all he really sees His only sons things are EVERYWHERE How does one decide What to keep or discard Without taking away a father's pride We left the shop Headed for the front door With my eyes wide shut I prepared myself for more The living room, dark and gloomy Three electric guitars leaning on their stands Waiting there patiently for His sons mighty hands I went to his sons room Only some things had changed Pictures, letters, flags, and medals From politicians that will treat him estranged The worst soviegners for a father Of his once beloved son And we went through items One by one. Five medals of honor Including a purple heart Four flags from services From Bagdad to the Cemetary Park A scroll when is son joined Another when he died bearing his name A letter from the President Another from the senator...all the same Literature from Bagdad From a service that they held His son was one of seven That died, that moment, upon that field How do you tell a man It's time to move on When his only reason for living Is now dead and gone He is now that last generation That the world will ever know I cannot help to wonder if I should really go He hasn't worked since March He says, 'I'm not ready yet" Everywhere he goes Condolences is all he gets Two quads, Six helmets Clothes, boots, and guitars Truck, bicycles, nick knacks, stereo, hard hats, and a car I sat for hours There was a story with all we touched He spoiled his only son rotten He loved him very much His son would call on the weekends Saturday four times, Sunday only twice Now every time the phone rings He turns blue as ice He went to make dinner But had nothing out We headed for fast food He started to pout Our Main Street Has his sons name posted everywhere "Fallen but not forgotten" Is a memory we all share With a dictionary full of words I truly have none To express the loss Of anyones son We'll try again tomorrow To see what can be done He must know that life goes on Even without his son.