Father and Further
By: Alan Berger
My father
Never wanted children
That was plain to see
I couldn’t blame him
But I never blamed me
I’ll even take it further
My friends had fathers
I noticed them after school
I think I wanted one too
They would laugh together
And actually spoke
Not just about the weather
I kept alive some hope
But
He died at 45 and did in the ambulance say goodbye
I even tried to cry
Of course
I would have preferred he stay alive
And not die
The way he did
I am 73 now
And well hid
I can look back
And think back
Of my father
I can now call him
My kid
A man
Of few words
And I heard
Less than those
Sometimes father and son relationships
Well, that’s how it goes
I hope
He made it ok
Though the Pearly Gates
And if it’s ok with you
I can wait