09/30 A Version Without Regret

Rewriting Memory

I was in town visiting my son one Saturday

When I told him: “later we’ll go visit grandpa”

But time ran out and other plans got in the way

I didn’t call him and that’s always been my flaw

As the week went by, I just went about my way

With work and family matters I just carried on

And it wasn’t until later, on that Thursday

When my sister called me crying saying, dad’s gone

I already knew in my heart his time was near

But I regretted not visiting or calling

After our last fight I only could shed a tear

The mending relationship had been stalling

The last time I saw my father, my heart hurt

I should’ve gone to visit him earlier that week

Instead, I stood there wishing I could revert

I kissed his forehead and my sisters kissed his cheeks

In the version without regret I would’ve called him

We would’ve had dinner that day and laughed again

We would’ve shared one last father and son embrace

I would’ve felt like that one time when I was ten

Every year on his birthday I write him a poem

We have a meal and a beer and give him props

My family gathers and it’s like he never left home

I miss him still so I’ll say – happy birthday pops

NaPoWriMo2026 Day 9