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Phyliss Mckenzie Poem
With World War II finally over, the soldier returned home to Tennessee.
To his previous life and his young, loving wife
But what once was two now was three.
Something had changed in his absence. Someone had taken his place.
His son had been born and he looked on with scorn.
At the little boy’s innocent face.
His wife’s love and attention must be shared now and this he couldn't condone
He would make the child pay for taking her away.
A father’s love was never shown.
From that day forward the man lived his life in a battle he felt must be won.
He would destroy this unwelcome boy.
For a rival he saw in his son.
The years passed quickly in east Tennessee and the baby boy is now grown.
But the love of his dad, he’s never had.
The seeds of yearning were sown.
He says he’s searching for something. Just what he really can’t say.
Seems without his knowing, those seeds are still growing.
He’s lost and can’t find his way.
He constantly travels this country in search of something he needs.
But in his garden of life, he finds only strife.
There are no roses, just weeds.
Sometimes he thinks he’s finally found what his search has led him to find.
But it’s all in vain, miles don’t lessen the pain.
Or bring peace to an unsettled mind.
What he yearns for isn’t out there. It’s the love that he never had.
One man holds the key, but he’ll never see
how much the boy needed his dad.
With Christmas only a few days away, thoughts turned to home once again.
Then he remembered that day when he drove all that way
And the man had refused his hand.
His father is now almost ninety and though his mind is beginning to dim.
he could still save his son from a life on the run.
With the gift of love, he could save him.
Heavy snow was starting to fall, and the weather was getting much colder
He felt he should hurry. He used to not worry.
But then, he was getting much older.
If he left today, he could make it. He’d be there by Christmas Day.
He was ready to go and had driven in snow.
So, anxiously was soon on his way.
He arrived on Christmas morning, exhausted from having driven so far.
With quilts keeping him warm in a blinding snowstorm
Christmas Eve, he had slept in his car.
He knocked on the door and he waited. He could hear movement inside.
Then she opened the door. He was home once more.
“Come on in, son!” his mother cried.
The old man stood by the table and on his face, he had a big smile.
“Good to see you again! How long has it been?
It seems like a very long while.”
That Christmas Day was like magic, filled with the love of a man for his son.
The boy could finally feel the love that could heal.
His days of searching were done.
That night as the old man lay next to his wife, she suddenly felt his touch.
“Who was that man here today? I hope he can stay
I liked him very much.”
Copyright © Phyliss Mckenzie | Year Posted 2023
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