Poem: I Wish I Could Recall

My father passed away when I was 23 and he was 63.  
He was a wise man.  

I wish he had been around much longer.

Why do I remember

Such a thing?

The way he sat

By my side,

Homework on my mind,

Math problems due,

But he would talk

About bigger things,

Moral things,

Historical things,

I feigned interest

Truth be told,

Politely commenting,

Smiling, remarking,

Secretly wishing

The lecture would end,

I wish I could recall

One word,

One snippet of wisdom

From then,

To guide me now,

Had I known

He’d only be alive

‘Til I was 23,

I would have

Recorded, remembered,

Listed his words,

Yet who I am,

 How I act,

What I speak,

And how I live,

Are all an extension of him,

I live his words,

At least

I hope I do,

I miss you dad.