In Celebration of Mercy

This poem was a gift from my friend Tamara, left on my doorstep on the occasion of my father's sudden death, eleven years ago this week.

In Celebration of Mercy

6 April 2002
by Tamara Thomas Duvall

I came home today.

It was a long walk

I have rested some

but mostly I have been

traveling.

My father took me in

today. He had a place for

me to hang my hat.

I can rest here.

I buried a son too soon.

I buried a wife, sometimes

it seems maybe

too late.

I tried to be heard

so I sometimes spoke loudly.

I tried to feel, I didn’t

speak. My son…

But today my father

took me home.

I can see my son, and

my wife at the table.

I can feel.

I can speak of joy.

We are all somehow

Held.

We can rest here.

My son and daughter

are still traveling,

Walking that crazy road.

Today I hope they feel

I hope they speak.

I hope they are

confident

Our father is taking us

in everyday & here

I, their dad, have

a place for my

daughter and son

We can all rest.

We will all be Home.