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Claire Scott: MY FATHER’S PHOTOGRAPH

March 8, 2022 by PBQ Leave a Comment

Sitting on the edge of the table
a halo of white hair, blue eyes pleading 
pulling the cotton gown tighter 
around his frail body
he takes it from his wallet 
 
a photo of a young man in a swim suit
rippled muscles, cocky grin
standing on a dock, straight and strong
looking ahead at an unchanging future
 
this is who I am he needs her to know
this fledgling nurse taking his blood 
pressure, poking his belly, his flaccid chest
making notes on a chart, more
 
concerned about the old man before her
whose heart beats capriciously, who has
indigestion, insomnia, incontinence 
& shortness of breath 
 
this is who I really am

Filed Under: Issue 101, Poetry 101 Tagged With: Claire Scott

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