You See, He's My Dad

Seeing once more
the awkward smile
shuffling gait
childlike grin

People stare
amazed
confused
transfixed

-You see, he's my dad

I listen
to the shuffling of time
Red Sox won the pennant
World War II is over
My orange juice spilled on the carpet

Discordant blur
Disjointed cacophony

-You see, he's my dad

Now and then
the eyes brighten
the hands outstretch
for the sand
sifting through the final hourglass

It is all an illusion
the wheel of life
halting, halting
87 years young today

-You see, he's my dad

He scarcely walks
Dementia reigns
Yet the heart
the beating heart

keeps on loving
through the smoked glass

-You see, he's my dad

The nurses say stay home
He won't recognize you

Yet as long as one finger twitches
As long as a halting breath clouds the mirror
I will be there
For I am his only son




-You see, he's my dad


-and I love him