Life Lessons

My father was the man of the house

Six foot four on a good day
A pillar of wisdom doused
In confidence. The leader of the pride.

A self-proclaimed comedic genius
His steps more focused, his vision distracted
By the tame target that would otherwise elude us
His foot clips like the fearful first steps of a child

Satisfaction from the lurid laughter
As his immense body purposefully drops
What could impede our Goliath father?
But a tragic threat to his mirror image.

As tears dripped down his eyes, the observer,
I stand strong, the victim, the pillar.
My always-sturdy father further
Transformed, desperate prayers.

The fate of the pride placed on
My mirror image, made clear
By our former leader. I learned to
Be a man.

By: Charles Hooper