I reminisced of dad today
A scary time, for mum
About the day he disappeared
For just too long, THEN some.
Was born in Carrickfergus
Then retired to the same
On Belfast Lough, below a hill
He still was known by name
A neighbouring town, ‘Greenisland’
A few miles heading west
Does have a wartime monument
Atop that mountain crest.
There is a winding roadway
To gain admittance there,
Just o’er four miles (or seven ‘k’)
Dad gave himself a ‘dare’
With onset of altzheimers,
Though bouts were rare and short
He took himself out for a walk,
From his home - Fergus Court.
He’d done so quite a few times
Though soon after, returned
So on this day he did the same
So mum was not concerned.
Now I can walk four miles an 'hour'
Upon a surface flat
Though with a hill and slower pace
You near could triple that
Whene'er one hour plus had passed by,
Mum got a bit concerned
A worrier great, she telephoned,
His antics I had learned.
“I’m getting quite concerned son,
Your dad, he’s disappeared,
He’s not returned from his wee walk
Something’s happened, I’m feared”
“Okay mum,” I got in my car,
Told her, “I’m on my way”
The journey down seemed longer
Than any other day.
With tear filled eyes and praying hard
I drove the eight plus miles,
Though seemed like double distance,
Red lights, - there seemed like piles.
‘rrived at their house, gave hug to mum,
She always feared the worst
Was asking how he had dressed up
When door, open, did burst.
Dad did stroll in, so nonchalant,
Mum asked “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”
Then gave a long relief filled hug,
It was an awesome scene.
“Walked to and from the Knockagh”
(He thought he had done good,)
“WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU DO THAT?”
“To see if I still could”
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