Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Contest

Burning Twilight (For My Father)
by Beth Barnes

Eighteenth Contest
SECOND Place

As a burning twilight settles over the hills
I am suddenly haunted by the memory 
of our last phone conversation.
If I had known it was to be the last
I would have tried to tell you 

everything/anything 
all that you meant to me.

With such stern power over my life 
it never occurred to me that you could go,
or that Death even knew where to find you.

It amazes and haunts me even now, years later
as I'm left wondering how I've been true to you —
am I everything you hoped I would be?

I wish you could know these days and these hours
and this life I've created.
How I've dreamed of you 
sitting with my son 
and having a conversation about the man he has become.

If there was a way to reach through this burning twilight
I would take your hand and lead us to that place of my dreams
and for just one more night
you would know

everything/anything
all that you meant to me.