Life Through Death
by
Larry Bryan
Charles Lopez passed away,
On a cold November day.
And although he was but a youth,
In his death was born an invisible truth.
Charles was different, never really fit in.
When teased, he shrugged and forced a grin.
Although there was discomfort at school and play.
His father hurt him in a much different way.
Charles tried to please him, make him proud,
But his father, dissapointed, yelled long and loud.
After years of trying to please his Dad,
Charles learned to rely on what he had.
He went to music to ease his pain,
And maybe please Dad, no loss no gain.
"I just don't care!", Charles finally did say,
And then his father went away.
During that time, Charles grew very much,
And came to miss the gruff voice and soft touch.
When Dad came back to start life anew,
Both did all that they could do.
But no amount of love could replace,
The years which Charles saw as an angry face.
So, as Charles played music which was grand,
Mentally, he travelled into a wasteland.
Then came the day when he found the gun,
With which his problems would be undone.
The scene afterwards, as the neighbors recall,
"His brains were spattered on the wall,
The chair in the corner had broken his fall.
Proof he was nothing,
No surprise to us at all.
The truth had two parts, which none could deny
The first, the tear in his father's eye.
The second, the message written on a notepad,
"God please forgive me. I love you Dad."
Back to poetry page