Today, I realize
the worth of your place
in my heart, in my life.
As I watch the red flames
spark over the swirling black smoke
and the white dressed people
standing like ghosts.
Not a word, not a sound can be heard
except for a few occasional sobs.
And in my head resounds
the last words ever said
“Fight!”

Today, I realize
all that you had ever done.
How much you had helped me,
sacrificing your own wishes
to fulfill mine.
How many futile tears you shed
to see me shed none.
And even through the pain endured
you taught me to live
to attain heights greater than imagination.
If not for you, I wouldn’t have reached
the place where I stand now.
I would have died a long time ago
unable to fight.

Today, I realize
what you were to me.
What you were to all of us.
Yet I realized too late
the day you died.
And I wish I had known
a long, long time ago,
so I could say the two words
I never dreamed of saying
Thank you
and
Sorry.

Today, I realize
what you had wished to say
all through my life.
It’s too late for you to know
still, I promise you
that I will, as you did
until the very end
Fight!