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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108-page perfect-bound ISSN#/ISBN# issue/paperback book “Moving Forward” cc&d, v329 (the January 2023 issue) Order the 6"x9" paperback book:

Order this writing in the book a Mural of a Forest the cc&d Jan.-April 2023 magazine issues collection book		get the 426 page Jan.-April 2023 cc&d magazine 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

alone in my father’s house

C Ra McGuirt

on a moonless night in early spring
searching his song-seasoned gibson for
a warm and wintersweet melody
to cuddle my partner’s christmas words.

alone in my father’s house,
the lights of nashville, tennessee
through sliding glass across the dark
beyond the backyard river.

alone in my father’s house,
the women are waiting, the Great Work undone.
i came here to check on the place,
& do some laundry.

alone in my father’s house,
stealing my father’s fig newtons.
everything is sealed and in its place.

alone in my father’s house,
my menial job is waiting,
but presently, the night&i
have more important things to do.

alone in my father’s house.
my old man’s guitar is always in tune,
& never in hock, unlike some i could name.
i blow smoke into his smokeless air,
sip beer, & wait for clothes to dry.

alone in my father’s house,
my stepson’s photo on the fridge
although i helped to bring him here
i have to picture of my vanya;
more of my sort-of-a-wife’s
slavic superstition.

alone in my father’s house.
i wonder if my father will
ever get to meet my new woman. i want her to meet him.
she digs his songs. yes, father; she’s crazy
uncertain.

alone in my father’s house.
nothing is sure. i have dry clothes to fold
a guitar to put back, an ashtray to wash
beercans to rinse&recycle,
trash to go out, & lights to turn off...

before i lock up, i need to make sure
that i leave this house as i found it.

 

The poem originally appeared in the v6 October 1993 (“Art is not meant to be touched”) issue of cc&d magazine.

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