Not fit for father

Never made the decision.

Never offered a choice.

Never saw the warning signs,

only the label when it was hung around my neck.

In bold letters, it read,

“Not fit for father.”

A passing

An unknown child laid to rest. 

Nameless. 

Faceless. 

On her breast 

a bouquet. 

In his hand 

a black rose. 

In her eyes 

longing. 

On his cheek 

a tear. 

In silence 

they grieve. 

Written by Nicholas Gaffney