The Day Grandpap Died

Dad, I remember when your father died—
That cold February day in 1958
I was home on lunch break from school
I was startled, your car was parked in front of the house
Mom met me at the door—
Sharing the news of Grandpap’s death

You didn’t cry
But I knew your sadness
It lingered in your vacant stare
Its weight filled the kitchen
I cried, and Mom whisked me into the living room
I felt for you, even though I had no words
To tell you how much

Once I glimpsed the tears in your eyes
As you lingered by Grandpap’s casket
That was enough for you
And enough letting me know
Your love for your father
We never really talked about any of this
Next day you returned to work

That was fifty years ago
For some reason
The memory is as vivid now
As the day we said goodbye to Grandpap
I hope you know how much I love you
How I wanted to tell you that
The day your father died.