Always, Never, and Forever
by Michael Doyle

Always, never, and forever,
A girl in her youth though herself clever.
With a haughty sense, and lacking grace
She said goodbye to his parental embrace.

Her father silently let go,
Hurting that he had barely said hello.
It's the modern age of subversive shallow,
And his fire had begun to burn low.

He hadn't meant to break her concentration,
Weary as he was of her proposed distraction.
He knew only her world was in her hands
And he? He quietly does his best to understand.

Letting go into the spirits of the air,
He knew that he must close his eyes and dare.
A panda's diary spoke of a world yet to explore.
He had taught her so much; the world would teach her more.

The ashes of time were left but hard to find,
There in the shining days inside her mind.
She was sunshine and darkness, needing no shadow.
He was a father quietly letting go...

                ... With only a mostly hidden tear...
                        ... knowing he would miss and love her...

(c) August 3, 2025   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved