i’m supposed to
forget

your birthday
and blue eyes
17 years of being tossed around by uncle sam
two births
and sunday brunch at larry’s bbq
new cars
and first pets
make up on your collar
and desperate excuses
tossing the photos
and hocking the ring

i’m supposed to
remember

to remind our kids
to send you a card
on father’s day
and on your birthday
to remember you in my prayers, cause christians forgive
remember to move on
let time do its thing
and never, ever
ever
compare you to him

but today

i’m just gonna sit on this westward porch
until the sun comes over the roof and shines straight in my eyes
drying tears

remembering what i’m  supposed to forget