my father played
the house

by nightfall's bedtime
sang my bonnie

ocean came back
at his call I knew it

it was his leaving that slammed
the loudest door

sudden disappearance
of the hero

I understood
nothing

and old sounds were hard
to remember

as soon as he left
I left

he taught me
the moves

years later suddenly
he called and said where

can I meet you
I said in front

of the old house
proof of identity I said

he could only say
yes

I met him there by creaking gate
at old sounds place

a solitary odd reunion
and now

the impossible
return

03/18/2009

Author's Note: inspired by the Art of Cindy Rinne

Posted on 03/18/2009
Copyright © 2026 Kathleen Wilson