Untitled

I had to go see him

myself

Even though I heard

second hand

"He's OK"

I had to lay eyes

upon this man

I'm not ready 

to part with

So I paid for

my parking - overpriced

(and you can be sure he would comment about it)

just to lay hands

on this man I call

father

He was OK

Maybe

the emergency visit

a bit of an overreaction

a cautionary action

for one who realizes

he's been given more than 

his allotted threescore and ten

You can't go yet

I hold his hand 

during the 30 minutes

for which I paid a 

small ransom

Fingers still thick

and strong

although strangers 

to hard labour

I examine line upon line

etched and chiseled

in brow and bridge

as his lips continue 

to shape and form

even more tales for me to enjoy

I think of old age

yours and mine

some years on

And I look forward to the day

when you will hold

my hand

and we will read

in our lines 

and crinkles

the stories we

have witnessed

and written 

together.