Ups and downs

he held my hand when i was small

walking the whole block down to the water

one foot up on the curb, one foot down on the street

up and down up and down

he looked down on me, eyes laughing

as he whistled a tune

he held my hand the day i wed

and danced with me to that one song

that brought tears to both our eyes

as the song ended he lifted me high

and hugged me - up and down

whistling his tune he waved me away

he held my hand on his last day

his last moment

breath softly whistling breathing so slowly

up...and down...up...

he smiled one last time

and let my hand go