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Joe Gargery
Father Figure
Red face and furrowed brow hides all
A Dadly Dad is self-assured
But so is He
Strong and silent – you know the type –
That keeps a watchful eye at night and
Stops the threat of monsters lurking
With a pointed look.
That look – which I knew far too well –
Is etched into my memory
It’s no use crying over spilled milk
But still you couldn’t stand to see
Me spill my drink and spoil our tea.
Or leave the door to slam shut
So heat escaped (but not much)
Or even leave, to get away,
You were worried sick they’d say.
These simple things that meant so much
Did not bother me half as much
As that other look you wore so much
Which strained to say a thousand words
But barely uttered one.
