stargazer8

Last weekend I saw 'The Judge'. Robert Duvall, one of the greatest actors played the dad. He was  perfect for the part. He was an old grumpy, resentment- filled man but I still loved him. It was a truly touching movie and his portrayal was award winning. It brought up a lot of 'father' memories for me so I thought I would share the poem I wrote about my dad. remembrances of dad i sit here looking at the world war II photo of you in your lt. commander's uniform. you loved to garden and photograph us in front of the old magnolia tree. your blue eyes would melt into pools when you spoke of your mom- my nana. she had your same blue eyes and you both loved to dance. on st. patrick's day we'd go down to the basement and dance a jig. we'd watch the fights on friday nights and 'budgie' would fly onto your beer can and take a sip or two. you kept your promise to mom, not to die 'til she did. i'd bring you home for dinner and you...

the fathers of my friends the fathers of my friends take them to parks and thanksgiving day parades. my father takes me to the ocean, bars and graves. the ocean swelling and emptying like a woman giving birth. the black rose bar lit with the dying sun. cocoon-like it embraces and shields us  from the garish light. the graves of ancestors whom i've never met enveloped in the oblivion of sleep.