---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 96 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book... “I Pull the Strings” Down in the Dirt (v121) (the Jan./Feb. 2014 Issue) You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:

Order this writing in the book the Beaten Path (a Down in the Dirt Jan. - June 2014 collection book)		get the 372 page Jan. - June 2014 Down in the Dirt magazine issue collection 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Until Father

Liam C. Calhoun

Pops said –
“Keep your eye on the ball,”
Before I knew her.
Her being –
Women, a woman
The woman and awry in a
Fool’s paradise passion.

And atop 12 hours, a recliner,
A throne, a crucifixion,
Pops later forgot –
Me,
At wild-eyed sixteen,
My cigarette butts,
Whiskey splatter,
And the, “birds,”
And the, “bees,”
And the, “manhood,”
Swagger,
And bravado,
As they,
Her, and she,
Bloomed; what was
Once captured in fractions,
Now noticeably summoned
To a whole by -
Smell,
Hair,
Breasts and strut,
Oh those stolen glances.

And atop another 12 hours, another recliner
Another throne, another crucifixion
Pops once more remembered –
Me,
A more than somber seventeen
And Thanksgiving,
When her stomach –
Spoke for two,
And maybe three:
Her,
The baby,
And I, but the baby,
My clone,
Or rather half-clone,
And failed display of maturity.
“Son, didn’t we talk about the
Birds and the bees,”
No pops,
“We didn’t.”

Cue the advice sons seldom
Heed as
Momma said –
“You should have listened to me,”
“And not your
Pappy.”
And for once,
I agreed,
But only listened to myself,
Calling it
The wrong time to tune-in,
As I’m now
26,
And very much a mirror,
The forgetful father
To me, the parts left behind.
My clone,
Or rather daughter –
Eight years of age now...
I think.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...