Not Unnoticed

The day came and went 

The sun rose and set  

We went about our day 

It seemed, outwardly, to be 

Just another day

Not for nothing 

But the day was significant 

On that day, eighteen years ago 

You walked from mortal to immortality 

You opened one door and closed another 

We marked that passing 

With songs and tears 

We spoke of events and memories 

We held tightly to happier days 

We commemorated your life and work 

In the years since 

We have marked the day 

As is often wont to be done 

We have written poems 

Talking about our thanks and loss 

While the day and events that transpired 

Are forever etched in my memories 

They will go with me into my eternity 

Even writing this, I can see them unfold 

As if they are as fresh as that day 

This year I will remember your beginning 

I will celebrate the day of your birth 

Above the day of your passing 

I will mark the day differently 

Than in years gone by 

I don’t know exactly what that means 

Perhaps grief has ran its course 

Perhaps that burden has abated 

Maybe it’s just time to think about gainings 

And it’s time to release the thoughts of loss 

Regardless 

I choose to hold to the fullness 

I let go of the emptiness 

Thank you for being in my life 

Thanks for being a great father 

Thanks for being a wonderful mentor 

Thank you for being an example 

Thank you for being not unnoticed 

© Ron Simpson Jr. 

March 9, 2025