Virgil

Let me change the my topic of the recent week. Today, September 18th, is the one year anniversary of my father's passing. I was working on a poem sequence for the occaision, but unfortunately with all the recent events around me I couldn't finish it, or actually get half way. I will work on it and eventually finish it. But for now I want to post two poems here. One is something I wrote many years ago when I was in college. It was based on my father.

One Bright Day

if a man should
one bright day
decide to follow the sun
pull out his roots
pack up his past
wave to his forlorn fathers

and if that man should
while following the sun
brave the seas
harbor his wife and children
in the palm of his soul
until his manhood reeks
from the work of his hands

then will that man settle
find peace, re-root
in the land of the pearl

will he find in the land of the pearl
the pearl, bright and stationary
in an open mouth

The other is a poem by Donald Hall that recalls a similar occaision that I came across today by accident while I sat in Borders Book store during lunch time.

White Apples
by Donald Hall

when my father had been dead a week
I woke
with his voice in my ear

I sat up in bed

and held my breath
and stared at the pale closed door

white apples and the taste of stone

if he called again
I would put on my coat and galoshes

I have not forgotten you Papa. I am sipping a glass of wine in your honor.