Student first, then father.
Not a reckless plan
that brought you into this world
But could not have foreseen
whether the objects of your love
would play or betray,
insist, resist . . .
or even exist
in the [] of bones
curved to fit the landing zones
of your heyday
and ignominious
slitherings-off
part plan, part experiment
in Southern California stew
A college paper on the era
of Morrison, RFK, King
that was prehistory
and you the future historian
taking measure of the distant voice
I would become became thus
student again tasked
to trace the outline of your days
o father who art in ashes
spreading out from a Nogales hill,
yes, this is how still it will be,
but how did you know
what to say to a son
before the desert comes?
for Loren
11 June 2011 v2