Out shopping every Friday,

To the big town nearby,

Ocean City with an Acme,

A record store also to add to my collection,

But I would throw a tantrum,

If a record I did not get,

So home I would want to go,

And Dad would say go ahead, you won’t get far…

I remember proving him wrong one night,

Back to home in Sea Isle, a 12 mile “flight”,

Stuck out my thumb & got the first ride,

Took me all the way to my door, I was but eleven,

Watched over was I from someone in heaven…

Well Dad went frantic,

Thought I would walk a few blocks & get scared,

He called the police & they as well searched,

Little did he know that at home I was in bed perched,

Sound asleep from my little jaunt, mom wasn’t even surprised,

Never again did he tell me to go anywhere,

And surprisingly he was not even angry,

Just my being home did alleviate his scare…

Gone now almost 20 years,

When he died I had my fears,

Could I exist, could I make it,

So long now its been,

And I can remember him like yesterday,

We didn’t get along when young I was,

Damn, but now that feels like a sin…

© ed *** 3/12/09