Strawberry Short Cake with Candles

Hot as hell, hell on the front pages of all the newspapers, hellish day at work with computers gone beserk...hell hell hell. Happy birthday Sonny! Hope it is cool and verdant whereever you are...with excellent golf courses. Miss you.

FOR SONNY

I watched my father die
And it was gentle;
A simple cessation of breath
After so much suffering.
I grieve for my loss
But not for him.
He is in some celestial pool hall
In eternal Brooklyn
With a full head of hair
And a sharp suit.
Later he will grab a cab
To Manhattan to see Sinatra
And dance at the Copa.
Dawn will find him
On a bridge
Tossing coins into the mythical Hudson.
One for Jack, to keep him safe;
One for Kate, "Be content baby";
And one for Matthew, "Stay warm."
Then he lifts off for Japan
After the war.
The sun glints off guardian wings.

M.J. Tenerelli