Pops

Hard to believe that today he would be eight-five
he has been gone so long
even in slumber hours
a longing for his eloquence

The amazement of my acquaintances
is that the physical presence
was non-existent from this source
excusing an ill-fated attempt to runaway

Even the threat not needed
he would brag about the intellectual facilities
of a "Berkeley man"; really
it was the quizzical look and the sharply pointed question

The pipe and the beard of a wise sage
maybe all those years dealing with the mentally ill
or the training grounds with my older sibling
the advantage of reflection

How out dated and old fashioned pops was
until the moment when he was greeted
by the greatest college basketball coach of all time
like they were the best of friends

How was I to know that he had worked the elevator years
so many stories I heard and yet so many
that I never will hear
except second hand from relatives or friends

A debt is owed to this man
one that I can never repay
in a way not unlike the million dollars
that my brother lost in a bet (never paid up)

If I can reflect on the saddest part
that would be the wedding he never got to see
not my own mind you for I have no hope for me
but rather my brother's

So at what would have been eighty-five
I thank you Ed for being my father
I never will be the man you were but hopefully
someone was able to

Breath bit easier
laugh a little more

because I was here