FOR Promptly Poetry Challenge (2023-24)

Fruits and a ladder (Image Prompt)

Fruits, ripe - ready to be picked
A ladder
Dad, is this what it was like
when you went fruit-picking
to earn some extra money?

You've described it often
But I never had a photo
Now here's one
but you're not there to
show it to and say 'yes'
that could be your ladder
propped up there
or maybe 'no'
it wasn't like that for you.

Small things
A prompt photo
Your whistle, left on your desk
Small things
remind me of you, Daddy.

I'll never be able to show you a
photo again.
We'll never sing a tune together.
I won't hear any more of your stories
Small things
remind me of you, Dad.

Till we meet again, Dad
I'll gather the memories
like you once gathered fruit.