My father was a police officer, a member of the RCMP. He served thirty-four years in the Force before retiring in 1987. He joined in Nova Scotia and after training he served in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, finally returning to Nova Scotia where he retired. He met my mother in Prince Edward Island and together they started a life together which led to include me and my three sisters. Both my sister, Heather and I followed in his footsteps. He passed away on the 28th of July 2020 at the age of 93. Due to covid we did not have his funeral until October of 2021. It was after his death I wrote the following poem in his memory.

The Badge

This badge sits on my desk

Next to mine to make

A pair but not twins

A story of two lives

One with an ending

The other yet to come

I am happy it is here

To touch and feel

To remember the man

It represents

Yet I wish, oh I wish

It was never here

And back on that dresser

In the bedroom of its owner

Where I could admire it

Whenever I visited and

Sit on that worn bed

While I talked to that man, my Dad

Talking or just sitting quietly

Lost in each other’s presence

However, life is not that way

We cannot live for ever

Not even to one hundred and ten

We must go when our time is due

Passing to whatever is next

Leaving those left behind

With a badge sitting on a desk