Dad at the office.
Dad at the bar.
Dad in a casket
at the funeral home.

Dad sleeping at the office.
Dad arguing at the bar.
Dad playing golf with the angel of distraction.

Dad smoking.
Dad going up in smoke.
Dad finally relaxed about it all.

Dad supine and Dad on his knees.
Dad in his wheelchair at the nursing home

and from which he called me
the day before he died.

Dad not complaining.
Dad not angry.
Dad not a burden to his children

and unbothered by his loneliness.
I'm talking to him on the phone.
The last conversation and I wished it over
and then it was.

Good for Dad in his best suit.
Good for Dad wearing his Masonic pin and military medals.
What was it he said to me?