Prayer to a Departed Friend - John Hanna Poem

On this Father's Day, I thought it important to remember fathers who have lost a child or children. Here is a poem written by John Hanna after the death of his son.*

Blessed Be
Joel

         Prayer to a Departed Friend

O Captain, in those islands of the blest
     To which you have so lately sailed away,
Somewhere is wandering a little boy -
     Perhaps you'll find him seated by the shore,
With sad eyes gazing o'er that unknown sea,
     Perplexed that Daddy's boat does not appear.

He is my dear-loved son, who left this world
     But a few short, yet age-long months ago;
In that far land are none he knows, and I
     Am torn with thoughts of his great loneliness.
Now as you love me, Captain, seek him out,
     And give him greeting as a friend of mine.

Sit down and spin for him brave yarns
     Of ships and men and storms, and fights and loot,
Of many a land and sea your life had known.
     Then walk with him sometimes along the beach
And answer well his eager questioning
     Of bird and fish and flower, all living things.

Perchance you'll find a boat upon that strand -
     Push off with him and teach him all the lore
Of tiller, oar and sail, of wind and wave;
     He knows no fear, and joys in brave effort -
Oh, how I envy you that happy task!
     To know that you are doing this, old friend,
Will keep me keep my teeth clenched tight, eyes dry,
     And mask with smiles the pain that grips my heart.

So seek my little lad, and tell him aye
     That I will come in but a few brief years,
And am eager for the day as he.
     I ask you this for old times' sake. Amen.

~ John G. Hanna

(written shortly after the death of his son, and addressed to his own father)

* Found in John Stephen Doherty's A Ketch Called Tahiti: John G. Hanna and His Yacht Designs (International Marine Publishing Comp, 1987).