You were a strong man,
the strongest I ever knew,
forged from the steel of our city,
blood like oil off the iron tracks.

When I came home with C’s,
you looked me in the eyes and
said I could do more,
but that you loved me anyways,
and no mark would ever change that.

The games of cards and dominoes,
interrupted by grandma in the kitchen,
Mangia! Mangia!
I only beat you once.

You were no angel,
you had your vices too,
like the day you hit Nona,
and she threw the coffee on you.

Like the nights at the casino,
and days spent at the track,
but after I was born,
you entered combat.

I know you lied to me when
you said that you never
went back.
I hope you know
I would never hate you for that.

I’ll never forget the day
I heard, They told me to be strong.
God knows I was trying,
but you looked at me only for a moment

before we both started crying.
I knew right then and there,
you were really dying.
I hoped that they were lying.

Your physical therapist took me aside,
he told me you tried harder
when I was in the room,
so from that day I knew
what I really meant to you.

But stare at you mournfully
was all I could do. It was all I could do.
I’m sorry, Nono.
I’ll always miss you.

You were gone before I had time,
to show you that I could do,
what you always said I could,
what no one else ever knew.

The picture on my bedside,
will stay there forever.
I prayed every day that
you would get better.
I was just a kid. A wish can’t
change the weather.

You were gone long before
they buried you. Your spirit
wasn’t wild, you didn’t
laugh like you used to.

I lost you, but the man
with the chain still
sat in your chair.
I tried and tried to find you but
it was clear you were not there.

He told me the same joke
every time I said hello,
the same one you told me
many years ago.

I knew he was not you,
because you knew that I
already know.
It’s time to let you sleep,
Nono.

I never wanted to lose you.
I never wanted to be alone.