I’ve not heard your voice in ten years
yet I’m still two years younger than
you were when I was born
your influence, a rusting model, yet stands
of few words, standing back, letting me
stumble, fall, as you always said:
“experience is the best teacher”
how to heart I’ve taken this
such lessons in your silence
exemplified stoicism
the older I become
signs of you
come out in me
excepting
my giving voice
to my pain, ache, love

so much I’d give
to be able to call you “pops”
one more time

© 2014 by DC Lessoway