Day Sixteen of NaPoWriMo/GloPoWriMo has the challenge of writing a letter as a poem.  What a fascinating concept that is to me.  Many letters along the path of my have incorporated blurbs of poems and tried to express things by sharing songs I’ve  written.  But, never have I even imagined a letter into a poem.

Given that challenge, and not to whine, I think the only letter that comes immediately to mind is the one that I never had to write.  I was too busy fighting to live and told myself at the time that writing a letter like this was a sign of giving up.  What sustained me for the time I was in ICU and about the only  things I remember was that my mind and heart chose to focus on my daughters’ beautiful faces and my recollection of one nurse saying to another something like, “How is he still alive?”

I don’t want to dwell on it too much now.  But, I’m glad I made it through this and into remission.  I still don’t understand how scar tissue was blocking the ability for oxygen to adhere to red blood cells.  I am just happy and grateful that despite all the adversities, God has allowed me a chance to watch my little girls grow up some.

I suppose the day of the biopsy, I should be grateful for the nurse who took it on herself to tell me that I should record CDs or  youtube videos to my girls so that they might have a chance to know me a little.  I got up stunned when my friend, Doug, came to pick me up and left that facility mumbling something about there was just no way I was going to give up.    I would not could not give up and leave my girls behind.

Now they tell me I am in remission.  Life is good.  A few downers here and there.  But, I’ve gotten to watch these fascinating little princesses begin to grow and blossom, I could not be more prouder of them.

A Letter To My Girls
by Michael Romani

Dear beautiful daughters of mine
Like little rays of golden sunshine
I am so very proud to be your father
I only wish our journey could be farther

My God, how you've made me smile!
Of that, there can be no denial
Dancing about like free form acrobats
Painting flowers and wearing funny hats

The first time I met you, eldest daughter -
When you turned in your mother's womb to your father
And you extended your little precious finger
The room filled with laughter knowing where I'd linger

Then there is you, my youngest precious flower
I read to you many, a countless, unrushed hour
Now you cannot get enough of reading other books
And you have your father caught by all hooks

Taking you both for walks in shaded woodlands
Touching my heart as you each held my hands
Getting to know how you each see things
Listening to the songs each of you sings

I have enjoyed each of these beautiful moments
Encouraging your words and teasing torments
As we wrestle and play and learn to pray
Filling my world with love with each passing day

I'm sorry that it's so hard for me to breathe
I hope you'll remember our moments and not grieve
I had not known what I'd do with girls, I once said
Now, I keep alive with thoughts of you dancing in my head

The nurse tells me the best that I have left to give
Is memories of who I might have been had I the chance to live
Looking back on my life and knowing all of my mistakes
I find myself not wanting to fill your thoughts with heartbreak

Instead of my life, it seems a look at the Bible might and ought
Provide my two princesses better lessons of should and nots
And so I turned my attention to providing you Biblical tales
As to how to apply these best in all of their details

These lessons might then, my loves tell you of better things
Each of which to treasure more than necklaces, bracelets and rings
Serving to guard you when I am no longer there in your life
To love and protect you from life's harm keeping you from strife

I guess for now that's all I really need for me to say
We have gardens, zoos and art to explore this sunny day
And smiles to chase the worse of the blues like a baddie
I give these with all of my heart, with love, Daddy

(c) April 17, 2017 Michael Romani