Father’s Day

by Jovel Velez

Would be a lovely day

“Would” mom says

Days after my birthday

Your day

Hard to celebrate

When you are away

“Away” mom says

Letters to and from away

Your handwriting is nice

Your face

In the pictures mom shows

Looks like me

“Looks like” mom says

I tell you about

My basketball game

I lost but played well

“Good job” you say

“Great job” mom says

I love you

Or maybe I am supposed to love you

“Love” mom says

My 21-year-old self holds

6-year-old me

Mom is there too

She always has been

“Always” mom says

But you are not

You are just away

“Away” I say

Father’s Day

Would be a lovely day

But you are not here

Mom takes your place

As the years go by

You forget to write back

“Forget” I say

I no longer remember

Your handwriting

I no longer look

At the pictures of you

Now I just chalk it up to

You being busy

“Busy” I say