Paterfamilias

Photo by Megan Andrews on Unsplash

I’m older now
than my
father was
when he left forever

Looking up
at him,
he had the
world understood

Looking back,
I know he knew
less than
nothing

A mindless
child,
lashing out
at children

I’m wiser now
than my
father was
when he left forever

I ask for
help
I care
I love

He was
— is? — bereft of
empathy and
understanding

I’m smarter now
than my
father was
when he left forever

Perhaps I’m
smarter
than he
ever was

I love my children
and they
love in
return