Father

Once you had arms

that held me so tight

Once you had legs

that stood up for right

Once you had eyes

that could see in the dark

Once your strong hands

plotted courses to chart

Once we would walk

and the birds would proclaim

Once we would sing

and the heavens refrained

Once we thought time

was our servant and slave

Once, before war

we forgot and forgave

Now that you’re gone,

my memory’s gone dark

Now that you’re gone,

paths unwalked in the park

Now that you’re gone,

surname given and fast

Now that you’re gone

—my heart beats in the past

(Villanova Pennsylvania: January, 2020)