FOREFATHERS
Footsteps fall before,
not knowing
where from they’ve formed,
marching forth,
for those who follow,
hoping so hollow,
for faithless fits of folly
to free them from the froth,
falling fellows falling forward,
forthrightly from the forest
face first in the foam.
TO MY GRANDPARENTS
Run barefoot,
through soft grass and,
dirt and muddy roads and,
clear waters
spraying your carefree
thoughts in mists and
sparking droplets
cooling ageless memories
like vapor in,
sunny laughter shining
dancing with your elders
taking in elixirs,
at their light joy,
soaking in enjoyment,
they teach, you learn
to savor life itself
at their gentle hands
as they chased and,
taught you how to play.
MISDIRECTION
Wise old fools
imparting heavy-handed wisdom,
in insults handed down
uninherited unlike fingerprints
no two alike,
not one,
but many,
as countless as
the infinite
Spirals we use so desperately
to cling
FATHERS
Hold fast,
in arms of regret,
with strength,
and retrospect,
hold close,
with warmth of heart
and self-same difference,
am I not your father?
Two alike, like two,
chips off the ol’ block,
spoken knowings,
no needing one to talk,
hand in hand we walk,
arm in arm with
our grandfathers
all of whom we’ve sought.
PERSEVERANCE
Your shimmering face
left impressions of light
behind my eyelids,
in rainbows that capture,
all aspects of a fractured,
space – I swear
you just beheld
seconds ago
now fleeting,
visions again deceiving
as if seeing is believing
pressed hearts and palms,
our mirage was teeming
overflowing, peaking,
with substantive meaning,
bowling over reason,
perfectly aligning
outlines of our hands entwined
clasping for something,
concrete, soft as petals,
gently worn by time,
and I see your last expression,
etched indelicately in-mind,
I hold what is left,
dreary with all I am,
and all you gave me,
which are one,
and the same. | RDO