My father went missing on 30th December 1997.I miss him dearly especially not knowing what happened to him. I wrote my first ever poem for him.
A Letter to Dad
You are my Father floating in my dream
Dressed in a kanzu, as men in the Buganda Kingdom
Warriors, farmers, fathers, husbands, sons
Why o why did you leave us without trace
No direction no footprints no words of wisdom
The memories hanging in a picture in the house
Dressed in a kanzu on my graduation day
It is left to me to tell the tales of your life
As the grandchildren you will never know
Fill the house with laughter and joy
You are my Father floating in my dream.
Six foot tall you towered up to the sky
Father, the gap you left will never be filled
The space you chose as your final resting place
Looks empty words cannot explain the gap in my heart
Looking at me from a family portrait on the wall
Dressed in a kanzu with me at your side
It is left to me to tell the tales of your life
To the grandchildren who will never know your strength
This is my Father the pillar of my strength.
East to West, North to South I searched
I search here and everywhere
I will never know why you left without trace
Now you appear in a dream whilst I sleep
With the words of wisdom you never said
With my hand I attempt to feel your touch
The love I feel for the grandchildren you will never meet
Is the same for you Father, though I can’t feel your touch.
Juliet Lubega 2011 (unplished)
November 21, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Julie, this is inspiring. Getting to know what we never got to know then.
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November 21, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Thanks Norah.I appreciate!
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September 1, 2014 at 10:54 pm
That is rather sad. My own father died a couple of years ago, but it must be even more difficult not knowing what has happened to your father.
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September 2, 2014 at 11:12 am
It is very difficult.It feels like a massive hole left in my life.Thanks for passing by my blog.
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March 20, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Thank you for sharing this poem Juliet! It is wonderful to know how poetry can be a force for good, a tool that helps us heal. Be strong and continue to write and inspire. All the best to you and your family.
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March 20, 2015 at 5:08 pm
Thank you for reading.It was part of the healing process I suppose and the words came quickly.The hard part will always be not knowing what happened to him but I always hold on to the precious memories.The poem is part of a longer story,a portrait of my father.
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March 20, 2015 at 8:53 pm
That is good. I know he would be proud of you. Keep faithful. One day you will see him again. God works miracles not only in this life but in the life hereafter.
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November 13, 2015 at 2:05 pm
Tears welled up when reading your poem. Poetry does help us release the emotions. May you find peace.
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November 13, 2015 at 8:25 pm
Thank you for reading.It is a hard situation.Only time can heal the pain.
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February 1, 2018 at 7:31 pm
It’s so sad you never got a formal closure Juliet. Losing a parent is really hard. Our dad’s are our super heroes. We pray he rests in peace.
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February 3, 2018 at 11:52 pm
Thanks Sarah. The pain never goes away
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