Quietly his body sagged br and like a distant star, br blipped out. br br There was no organ peal br or host of seraphim to mark br his passing. br br The closing of a screen br with little reverence was, br the final act. br br So ended a life tinged br with sadness and regret yet, br glorious in defeat. br br Though many years have passed br I vividly recall; br The night my father died.