I threw open the door; he was always there
Power and strength
A hot temper that sizzled on the burner
Roaring laugh that scattered the uninitiated

I threw open the door; he was always there
Trapped in a body that was eating itself up
Refusing to acknowledge death was at his door
Seated in his chair fighting for life

I threw open the door; he was always there
Protector of my youth
Vision of manhood
Love and hate fought as I stared deep into his eyes

I threw open the door; he was always there
Weak and beat down
Humbled by the fight
On a journey all his own

I threw open the door; he was always there
What are you up to
How can I help
Where should we go for dinner tonight

I threw open the door: he was always there
The smile has left his face
The strength has left his arms
The roar that raised the roof was the coughing of his oxygen tank

I threw open the door; he was no longer there
The air was sucked from the room
The laugh had slipped passed the door
The temper howled its final tune