Fathers'Day

fathers’ day

the old one and the new

the dead one and the now

vying for attention

in our hearts

and in our souls

rough feelings

bubble up

to break the surface

of the glad-wrap

we have stretched across

the wall

of pain

the lost child

the serpent at the breast

who fangs

and fangs and fangs

with unrelenting blows

until the poison cuts

erupts

smashes through in waves

and we are drowned once more

in his ice cold

disdain

on this day

when we remember

our soft fathers

gone before

I long for some small quiet chat

a natter

a cup of good strong tea

with that reclusive man

and then

I look at you

and see

a good man here

a good father

loyal and true.