FATHER

Into the cheery abyss
of childhood days
we burst into his arms
“What did you bring us?”
Unconditional love, pride
and devotion to our every whim
No conscious weight applied.

Years later,
Summation of his worth
dwindled into a few hush pauses,
the prerequisite of tears,
an appreciation distilled
into tangible remorse
and the inevitable,
“What did he leave us?"