To my son Joseph

I often think of days gone by when you would call my phone.
We talked for hours about your life, that soon you'd visit home.

We talked about your brother some and how he would get by...
about your Aunt and Uncle too, and how they reared you right.

Then months of silence made me ill, I wondered what I'd done.
The last thing you had written was that now you weren't my son.

I miss you Joe, you couldn't know the pangs within my heart.
God, take my pain, give me peace, for there's yet just one more part...

Awfully these woeful pangs have burdened yet another.
I must let go and give more love to your aching brother.

I never thought I'd lose my child, the thought did not occur!
Be still my son and be with God, his love will e'er endure.

Rest in God's peace.