A Vacant Chair

Please forgive me for my silent tear
a constant wish that he was still here.
Others were taken, this we know,
but he was ours and we loved him so.
He bid no one a last farewell,
nor even said good-bye.
He was gone before we knew it
and only God knows why.
If all the world were ours
we'd give it all and more to see
the loving face of our son, brother,
and friend once more. To those who have
a husband, father, grandfather, or brother,
cherish him with care and love. For you never
know his value 'till you see his vacant chair.

~In dedication to John Scholnick~