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
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For my Dad. Love always Your favorite song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LFML_pxlY