it’s fitting 
that one of the longest days
of the year
a heat heavy thick aired thing
would happen today

you were never a fan 
of dark and cold winter 
of sitting still
you’d like to die 
if you had nothing to do 

but you’re gone now 
I see you in my boy’s faces
how they act 
I’ll catch my own laugh 
sounding like yours 

there’s no way 
to measure your fathering
abilities
we weren’t close 
but you were my dad 
and I loved you 
until the end 

no matter what
it was deserved 
because I said so