Editor’s note: The responsive nature of this website means that the formatting of the poetry is not as the poet intended. In an effort to uphold the artistic integrity of his work, I have presented both the text and a photo of the formatted text. Please also see the photo, below.
◊♦◊
fathersong #2
son
i can’t remember when you left me
moved out at 18
but you were gone long before that
17 & the emptiness of your bed in the morning
no note or message
told me more than you did
all that year
15 all young man mustachioed & body odor
you learning the strength of your new muscle
silence by modeling mine
son i am sorry
13 & shamed into silence
doors forced open to prove innocence
distrust the currency between us
i was wrong
control is a clenched jaw a balled fist a finger jabbed into ribcage
9 & the threat of my anger at food on floors
& forgotten chores
& at your stubbornness refusing to do homework
what have i taught you
i fear it was 3 & even then i marveled at your desire’s determination
to sleep with us & my denial
holding door handle a tug of war
refusing to let you open it
& in the morning i found you
asleep on the floor
picked you up & carried you to bed
◊♦◊
Click the photo below to see the poem formatted as the poet intended; it will open in a new window.
About the author:
TOMAS MONIZ is the founder, editor, and writer for the award-winning zine, book and magazine: Rad Dad. In Fall 2016, the new & culminating anthology Rad Families: A Celebration will be released. His novella Bellies and Buffalos is a tender, chaotic road trip about friendship, family and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. He’s the recipient of the 2016 Mary Tanenbaum Award and founder of two literary reading series. He’s been making zines since the late nineties, and his most current zine tendril wild is available, but you have to write him a postcard: PO Box 3555, Berkeley CA 94703. He promises to write back.
—
—
This Post is republished on Medium.
—
Photo credit: iStock