in the days when the kids were smaller
and my parents younger
and they lived here
six months of the year
the only time I'd get mad at my dad
(my mom and I squabbled
every other week
or so)
was when he'd look at my husband getting
ready for a training run
and declare he wasn't
"built for running."
my dad... my corporate bigwig dad
had two secretaries once, but now
and my parents younger
and they lived here
six months of the year
the only time I'd get mad at my dad
(my mom and I squabbled
every other week
or so)
was when he'd look at my husband getting
ready for a training run
and declare he wasn't
"built for running."
my dad... my corporate bigwig dad
had two secretaries once, but now
dutifully transcribed stories
the grandkids dictated
my dad who titled himself the president
of the fan club our sweetly narcissistic
toddler so desired...
that dad
was telling me my husband--who
was spending hours running
every day--was unsuited
to running
But dad. I'd say--he's run marathons
what do you mean he isn't
built for running? And on
and on we'd go.
my dad had had polio when he was five
his withered left leg still hurts, his
uneven legs (like these lines)
of the fan club our sweetly narcissistic
toddler so desired...
that dad
was telling me my husband--who
was spending hours running
every day--was unsuited
to running
But dad. I'd say--he's run marathons
what do you mean he isn't
built for running? And on
and on we'd go.
my dad had had polio when he was five
his withered left leg still hurts, his
uneven legs (like these lines)
limp every step
but that dad didn't care how his body was built, he
but that dad didn't care how his body was built, he
had "persevered" to become the captain
of his school's soccer team and cricket
team and wrestled in college
so it didn't make sense then, but now I think
he was saying my husband wasn't built
for running hours every day when
I needed help with our kids
Note: Inspired by Engie's post on Terry Fallis's Albatross.
5 comments:
Oh wow, Maya. Wow. This just gave me all the emotions. xoxoxo
Nice.
Nice twist there at the end.
Nice reframe of a memory. I'm glad I was able to inspire you!
Thank you, friends!! XOXO
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