.
I remember your square jaw
father
Strong and viselike
Your grip
Of my hand father
That wouldn’t let go
I remember you at the bottom of the stairs
father
Telling me
We had to go son
now
I remember the hat
The small brim
With its feather
father
You always wore
As if leaving without it
Was like being naked in the sun
I remember you standing
father
Behind the old glass counter
With its huge crack
weight upon your right foot
father
I remember that subtle smile
father
Showing only a portion
Of the false teeth
You despised
I remember you father asking me
father
With your worried look father
Why I liked that girl
With the dark skin
I never knew father
What you father
were thinking
.
by Bill Schneberger
.
.