Quietly his body sagged
and like a distant star,
blipped out.

There was no organ peal
or host of seraphim to mark
his passing.

The closing of a screen
with little reverence was,
the final act.

So ended a life tinged
with sadness and regret yet,
glorious in defeat.

Though many years have passed
I vividly recall;
The night my father died.

jerry hughes

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-night-my-father-died/