“Father” –
only one letter away
from “farther.”
Seems especially fitting now
since that’s where
you are – farther –
away.
From me, from here, from life.
It’s not like we’ve ever
been close,
even when you were on Earth.
Sometimes it was okay,
and sometimes it bugged me to not
be the one
who had all the “dad” memories.
But you were still Dad.
My dad, by blood,
and that had to mean something – right?
Plus you were the only one
I ever had.
I had some stuff that
kept me close —
crooked smile, early gray hair, long legs,
weird sense of humor,
and also 52.
Now you’re farther away than ever,
but at least you have
someone to keep you company.
Father.
Farther.
But not always.
Pen in Motion 