A Farewell Poem to Maasai

When I think on this Father’s Day
Of all things I didn’t say
Like “To me, you are everything!”
Did you know how much joy you bring?

And how much we loved the sound of your voice
And how much I wish, If I had a choice
If death came calling and worst came to worst
That it should take me, and not my boy first

Thinking back on your beautiful smile
And how you were so quick and agile
Not just on parallel bars, pommel horse and rings
But with songs, poems, essays and all written things

And though your body is broken and flesh decayed
The only salve for our minds, dismayed
Is no one knows what truly comes after
We’re still comforted by the sounds of your laughter

Some of our best days, when you fit in my lap
Only three months, we would curl up and nap
From youth, your nature was sweet
As your life’s run was achingly fleet

Your exploits were legendary in gymnastics
How you contorted your body like plastic
And sent it hurtling through the air
You were my personal daredevil, man without fear

Maasai was like a diamond reflecting the light
A prism holding together a fight
A struggle within oneself
A discordant note – of worlds, clashing, colliding, pushing and pulling,

Ebbing and flowing
West coast, East Coast, Black, Fijiian
Maasai held it together with very few knowing
What it took to fight the good fight
All we ever saw was his ever burning light

His family all lived in the warmth of his words, his presence – his very essence
No words can express what we lost, we have been blessed
How can we say goodbye?
Now that the world has one less

Maasai, a warrior has been called to God’s army
In heaven’s embrace, he lives free – adding to our Heavenly father’s pure joy and glory
Here on Earth, we stand as one
Reminiscing and mourning, but we all know that joy comes in the morning

As we scatter across the globe
Worlds seemingly apart
We are bonded eternally together
As family with Maasai in our hearts