OPEN LETTER TO MY DEAREST DAD

OPEN LETTER TO MY DEAREST DAD

Dearest Dad
Where-ever you are

I know you are safe
And healthier

Would have been happier
Seeing your
Grand childern
My children

Greetings from me
And my family

You know where we are
Left us a legacy
Difficult to copy

Your legacy
Has no copy right

Nevertheless
Have taken
Liberty

Though not easy
To emulate
Keep your
Legacy alight

Knowing you
You are busy
Visiting exotic places and
Organising
Discussion Forums

Wanted to honour you
As I do
Every day
But specially
Today
Father's day

Phoned you
Your Phone was busy
Were you speaking with everybody?
Was it stolen?
Or broken down?

Emailed you
Was your
Computer down?

Are you on
Facebook?

Alternatively
Can fix the time
When we can speak
On Skype
Or gadgets
Of similar type

Googled you
To locate your
Writing

Are you running
A focus group?

Or busy mediating
Sorting
Out differences
Between people
Who 'reside'
In heaven or hell?

If that is the case
Where did you
Conduct the conference?

Is it near your residence?
By the way
Where is your residence?

Is there a
Middle place
Between heaven
And hell?

Dante told us
About purgatory
Is it part of
Your venue inventory?

Your fight for
Social Justice
Is legendary

That's why
Your legacy is examplary

Do you remember the day
I met a person
You knew
Sixy years ago

Who told me
You were his hero
He said you were
Honest , brave and
Had a lot of courage

He wanted to
Pay you homage
I came home
Shook your hands

Said, Dad
I confirmed
What you always
Told us

Your honesty and courage
Is now in front of us

Narrating you the story
Felt so proud
My eyes glowed
Was uplifted

I remember
I shook your hand
Again and again
For I was highly elated

Dad, do you remember
Telling us about
Freedom of the press
In the United States
A editor of a newspaper
Accused of defamation

I distinctly remember
What the editor said ( to the judge )
"Sir, print must be free
to print the truth
No matter whom it offends"

This was over six decades ago
Memory I still can't let go
Thirty years ago
I heard a broadcast
On the Voice of America
Heard the exact quotation
Freedom of the press
Printing press in America

Was emotional
Had to write you a letter
When I heard the actual
Quotation
From that day on
Freedom of the press
Was pressed in my mind
Thank you for inculcating
Sense of justice
When I was that young

Before I forget
For your efforts
On alleviating
Poverty
Inspiring the young and
Upholding Human Rights

You have been
Posthumously awarded
Noble Prize
For Person upright
New category
I might add

Dearest Dad
We are proud
Of your achievements

We mourn your passing
But respecting & remembering
Your contributions to society

I believe
Your life is
Worth celebrating

Want to emulate
Our brothers and sisters
The Kunama people

Who mourn the young
But celebrate
Passing away of elders
By acknowledging
Their achievements

You had good innings
As the saying goes

I miss you Dad
Proud to be your son

knowing
You are one of a kind
Gives me
Peace of mind

Rest in Peace
Don't work hard
Bye for now
Until we meet again

Bid you farewell
Once again
Your loving son

Post script
Sorry for blurting
All the above questions
Thought
They could serve you
As brain teasers