Poem for My Father

Where will I be when the breath leaves your body?

It's 6:45 AM and I lie

Awake, not quite hungover

In my Northern orange apartment

Hours away

From your struggle in rotating hospital bed

I wonder if you have dreams

If your life has become

One perpetual dream of

Family around you

Maybe that's why

When I come South

To hold your bruised hand

You won't let go

Maybe I keep you

From slipping deeper inside

These somnambulist visions

The men in white coats say

It is time for palliative care

Hospice

Release from

For

Wife and children

Father,

You are ready for this journey

You have already begun to leave us

Mounted your wolf stead

Caught a lightning bolt in your teeth

Do not stay for us

For us

You will always be here

Sometimes, when I cross the street

I start

At a flicker next to me

I know this is a ghost of you

Bounding next to me

Faithful retriever

Protector

Friend.

©Harvey Rabbit  2007