On Your Shoulders

Dear Father,

I found this poem stashed away in one of my old folders. I think this was what I was supposed to post last Father's Day but forgot all about it.

I hope you like it.

On Your Shoulders

You came into the door
I reach out to you
You pick me up from the crib
And held me high on your view

Then I pointed to the picture
Hanging on the wall
Without a word
You put me on your shoulders

On your shoulders, I feel like I can do anything
On your shoulders, I know nothing would happen
Not with you there guarding me
On your shoulders, I am free

Your hands held mine
As you shook and trembled
Pretending there is an earthquake
I got scared
And held tight onto your hair
You yelled and the tremors stop
I laughed.

On your shoulders, I feel like a giant
That I could reach anything
And see everything
On your shoulders, I am secure
When will I feel that same feeling again?

Twenty one years later
Here I am
Standing below the picture
That I could barely see then

In that picture, you were smiling
In that picture, you were happy
In that picture, I was sitting on your shoulders
In that picture, I laughed.

I wonder what happened
Where had all that laughter gone?
Why is it that when I sat on your shoulders,
It was the first and last one?
Was it my fault that you had to leave?
Or was it all your decision to do so?
Father, father, I wish I could turn the time around
And sit on your shoulders once more.

Respectfully yours,

Your daughter.