2014 Ingenium April 2014 | Page 23

She took good care of you. Your hair, once a soft brown, is now gray and lifeless, just like you. Standing near her picture, I wait. I wait for you to acknowledge my presence. My poor father, why do I try? I promised you that I would never leave you alone when you grew old and feeble. I promised that I would care for and love you. I wished that you had promised the same. I’m here with you now, but we are both alone. You don’t recognize your daughter, and I don’t recognize my father. But I love you all the more for it. You used to say that love is tested in times of darkness. If love outlasts everything, do you still love me? Did love outlast your memory? I pray that it did. I love you, but it’s very hard to love the blank stare that extinguished the twinkle in your eyes. How can I love something that is absent of love and life? Yet, I will try. I will try to love you and your blank stare that pierces my heart. I love you, Father. Walking to the window, I stand by your side. Although we are together, we are apart, silently watching the rain fall. Sploosh Digital Photograph Sabrina Angelo Class of 2014 23