failed patriarch lies dying
while the second son
cries for what never was:
     consistent laughter over Looney Tunes
     tolerance for bookishness and toys
     persistent affection in place of derision
     the bare minimums of parenthood
things so simple, yet not offered
by the gray collection of bones and skin

so son must feel second-hand regret,
because fading father will spare none

the old man in the hospital bed
wore a lifetime of armored excuses
gifted to him by enabling minions:
     “can’t express himself”
     “doesn’t have the words”    
     “nev...

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