To my dad

If I’ve ever sang a song
That breaks and unbreaks the tongue
It was because your dirge
Wasn’t so rhythmic
You, a lamp
Burning yourself up to burn others
Until our smoke is alike
Until resemblance is almost bitter
Until taste barely matters
I cannot remember you being fire or ice
Or ashes in a jar
Which we taste yearly
You were just alive,
And then dead
And it is bearable enough to forget .

LARDO