Father Figure

You disguise your concern

With accusatory contempt

Your love

With cold discipline

 

You’re stuck

Playing the

‘Father Figure’

Can’t drop the act and

                Just be a dad

 

 

Yet as you watch him die

Your face shines

With pride and tears

 

And you acknowledge

Your boy

With a hand on his shoulder

And a single word

 

                ‘Son’

 

(17 years of unspoken affection)