Jumper for Pa

I bought pa a jumper
of the softest wool
of his favourite color
for his birthday this year.
To keep him warm and make up for the times we 
should've spent together, when instead i had
- grown up too fast.

I haven't seen pa, for a year or so, now
married and mothering; building a new home.
With all allowance saved from a month
I bought him a jumper to show him my love

Pa was excited to know I'd return,
"I will wait for you, dolly, until you come home."
with a kiss, a smile & tears of joy,
I'd picture him holding my gift
like a child with a toy.

I knew he would've loved it.

I would've given him the jumper
on my last visit,
but i wanted to make it a meaningful gift.
I saved it for his birthday, only two weeks 
away,
with a card written "with love forever, Pa. Forever and a day."

I knew he would've loved it.

The big day came, of my return home
sweet home - Where papa was waiting with 
open arms.
But when I walked through the doors, the silence choked me
as a coffin greeted me instead.

the words my brother whispered into my ear,
when i finally saw my pa after a year.
I'm sorry, sis, but papa's gone.
butpapasgone
Imsorrysis
But papa's gone

.

I bought pa a jumper,
of the softest wool
of his favourite color
for his birthday this year.
But I came home, too late
too much too late;
I never saw the smile papa had saved
just for his little dolly who never came.

I would've given him the jumper
on my last visit,
but i wanted to make it a meaningful gift.
But i could've made it his final memory,
more meaningful than a birthday wish.

And papa's last words to me still rings in my ears,
"I will wait for you, dolly, until you come home.
I will wait, dolly, I'll wait right here."