The gates of the cemetery where there is a memorial bench with my father's name inscribed
His colleagues didn’t understand him or his work, yet they were always offering him suggestions for how to do it better.
He taught liberal arts disciplines in a school where science was law and letter
He was often angry and unhappy during his first year at the college
It seemed his colleagues really didn't respect him or his knowledge
Over the years his colleagues changed, and his situation improved as well
He no longer felt such a burning, pressing need to reform and rebel
Sadly, he never got to fulfill his dreams of travel
Shortly after retirement, his plans all came unraveled
A stroke felled him just four days after his birthday 2004
The restless wanderer within couldn't go roaming any more
He died late in 2010 after several years decline
I hope he now is traveling to every place he had in mind
And then some.
For my dad
31 May 1936 - 28 November 2010
From Your Butterfly on your 80th Birthday
My childhood nickname was Butterfly because of my love for butterflies
