I knew a man 

Once 

He wasn’t a

Big man 

In the grand scheme 

Of things 

But he filled up

My whole

World 

 

In the week 

I don’t suppose 

I saw him

Too often 

He left 

When it was dark

He came home 

When 

It was dark

 

But my world 

Was anything 

But 

Dark 

And I didn’t

Make the link

Back then

Or even 

Until now 

 

And if there 

Was a new thing

He was 

Usually 

At the front of it

And if there 

Was a broken 

Thing 

He would mend it

But I think 

That’s just what 

I thought 

Dad’s did 

 

If I needed to get 

Somewhere 

He took me 

If I needed to 

Get home 

He collected me 

And I don’t think

I realised 

Really

Ever 

That it wasn’t 

Just the physical 

Places

He was 

Taking me 

 

And when I wanted 

To fly a kite

Play golf 

He taught me 

And when I 

Did judo 

Or played 

Rugby

He watched me 

 

And until 

I was much 

Older 

I don’t remember 

Him

Putting his arm 

Around me 

But 

From where I sit now 

His empty 

Chair 

Staring at me 

There weren’t too 

Many times 

When his arms 

And heart 

Weren’t wrapped 

Around me 

To the point 

I’m surprised 

He could take 

His own 

Breath 

 

And I remember 

Looking 

At him 

Once 

And not 

remembering 

When 

He had 

Become 

An 

Old man 

But he had 

 

And now 

Gone 

He sits 

Just at the end 

Of my vision 

Tapping his fingers 

Eating noisily 

Smiling and snoring 

 

And 

I suppose 

He always 

Did 

And 

He always 

Will