You
I see
in smile-crinkled eyes
our later emotional distance
would have led
to my demise
You
how we reunified
awkward, then sweet
I almost didn’t recognize
this frail man
standing by
the train station street
only when you
waved, started
limping did I understand
And I said, "No! Wait" and
flew over to you,
a five-year- wait
for a bearhug
so long overdue
You had forgotten your cane
in the excitement
of it all
My heart was strained
in tenderness
and worry that you
would fall
You
only you
could always make me
laugh uncontrollably
embarrassing me
in NY streets
with songs and general madness
teaching me about life
on our city walks
and talks
observations made
through Second Avenue
diners
and Sunday parks
our secret language
and made-up
funky creature
our "who's gonna eat
the most spicy thing"
an essential
Chinese restaurant
feature
I cried each night
for a month
after you left the house
thinking you left because of me
even though you and mom
explained it countless times
that this was untrue
but alas--- seven-year-olds
have their reveries
and when you did remarry-
a few years later
I grew to love her, too
My crazy-sweet
quietly loving
always open to me
never judging
How I hurt you
So unintentionally
And how finally,
in such grace,
you came back to me
You
are still my precious
bear hug sweet daddy
survivor of war
of car accidents
always wanting me
to meet my dreams
I think of you, now
so lonely
over there
I sit in my solitude
quietly stare
How ironic
We are again close
yet an ocean apart
a phone line's airwave
away
from my
open heart
'
For my Dad. Love always
Your favorite song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LFML_pxlY