Couldn't be Said

Got an extra bone
up in his head,
and a nappy, grabby,
lizards tongue
up in his mouth.

Moth-like instinct
for light, at night,
days of ten filled
with donkey-like doubt.

Couldn't be said
our silent Dad,
he'd sleep in the barn
with a whole animal swarm
... should it be said
... about Dad, that is.

It's too darn cold
for even the beavers
ears burn in cold
makes us under-achievers
like embers of coal
head covered in gray yarn
they all fall asleep
up there in the barn

Stiff-necked bovine
up on the knoll
that's Dad's beyond what
we don't know ...
... He wouldn't let it be said
... and, we don't tell it
... 'cause he'd be mad

But if Dad would let it go
We'd say: 'Wha's the good word
and a hey diddy hey, hey diddy ho ...?'
And, 'Dear Dad, ...
What about the day dream
... that you had?'



Patrick Darnell (2001)