Father of the Day

As per the custom, they awoke with excitement
promptly at 6:30 am, perhaps 6 – before the rooster crowed -
bounded onto his bed, awoke him from his slumber
to wish him a Happy Father’s Day. 

Shoves for each other
and hugs and kisses for him
and homemade cards and peanut butter cookies
hard as a rock
but filled with love. 

In came the tray with the serving stand
used twice a year, for mother and father,
and coffee and a piece of toast with pineapple jelly. 

They ate most of it
except for the coffee which was left for him
then they pulled him out of the bed
for two inartistically, but adoringly wrapped gifts
a white shirt and a tie. 

After he helped mom get them
washed and dressed
and stopped all the fights
they would make their way to the car
which he had gassed up the night before. 

Their final gift
the one they were most excited about
the one which he told them was his greatest wish
the thing he would enjoy the most on Father’s Day
they took him to Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa
to play in the bubble of pea soup plastic balls
with them, and Ernie and Bert.

Ray Brown

For another Father’s Day poem, please read “My Father’s Hands” .