CatScratches

My Dad

My dad was an American
A patriot
a veteran
a blue-collar kid who grew up
in the heart of Manhattan
who defended the unions
Especially after Reaganomics
and even after the accident

My dad was a father
a husband
a brother
a limousine driver later
who ate books like food
who loved his wife and
children like men do on
black and white tv

My dad had a genius IQ
untapped as it were
malnourished brilliance
evolves differently
unavailable to society
it spilled all over us
it's bloomed and blooms in ways
we only get to learn now, today

A song for my mother

I miss you
I wish you could see
The moon over my tree

I think about
All of our lives
And Time, she just rolls her eyes

We say why oh why oh why oh why
And we look for an answer to soothe
But why is a crooked letter and
Her edges will never be smooth

We say why oh why oh why oh why
But an answer we'll never get
Because why is a crooked letter and
No one's straightened her yet

I hear it
I fear It is you
Warning me "love what you do

Persistence is key
To your fill
And regret, the bitterest pill"

You say why oh why oh why oh why
And you give up things for Lent
But why is a crooked letter and
She'll always remain bent

You say why oh why oh why oh why
But an answer you'll never get
Because why is a crooked letter and
No one's straightened her yet

I need to
Agreed to be me
Regardless of the fee

I've paid it
I've waited so long
To learn the words to my song

I'd say why oh why oh why oh why
And you would simply reply
Why is a crooked letter baby
Please don't cry

I'd cry why oh why oh why oh why
And you'd smile into my fate
Because why is a crooked letter baby
That'll never be made straight