Of Man
When I was 14 my dad told me
He would hug me twice in my life.
Once when I graduate and once when I get married.
I have since graduated high school.
The first hug was breakneck
He slapped my shoulder blades
like you would a newborn baby
Struggling to breathe
Still blue. Underwhelmed,
I brace for the next hug.
My grandfather was worse.
A military mechanic. Wrought iron build.
I wonder how he said I love you.
I imagine: “Good work on that tire alignment, son.”
A crack on the shoulder
A swipe at the chin
Was the closest it got.
He set the bar low
I take what I can get.
“What sounds better to you, a V8 or a V10?”
Means he misses my company.
“How’s the truck? Is it time to take it in?”
Means how was your week?
“I love you, Man.” Means:
I love you.
You are the stars that pepper my universe with light
That will someday
Bring into being new life for me to love even further.
My son will know this love everyday he breathes.
When his tears fall like raindrops,
He won’t have to find my words
through the thunder of an engine.
He will hear: I love you. You are the stars
That pepper my universe with light
More than that,
You are my son.
The Nature of Living
As children we mocked
The earthworm’s ambitious move
From safety assured
As children we laughed
At their madness
Their vulnerable bodies
Called by the drumming
Raindrops on roofs of loam
To adventure they climb
Bolstering courage with curiosity
Most will dry out
Die needlessly on the pavement
Jumble our homeward footsteps
As children we asked
Is it worth it?
So readily sacrificing
For food
For mate
For new surroundings
Why not stay in your tunnel?
However dark it may be
The risk is too great
Preserve what life you have
As adults we mock
Our days of naivety
There is more to this