Mother & Father

by David Smith

Mater:

Growing up I was asked

constantly about my hair.

Where did you get that color?

Neither one of my parents are red-haired

From my mom’s side, I would say.

Mater meus,

who 

in raising me

bestowed to me a fire.

We share the same blood,

the same compassion

crackling warm like a bonfire.

We share the same fight

raging hot like a wildfire.

We share the same chaos

our minds like embers blowing in the wind

We share the same humor

unpredictable like dancing heat.

Our blood is fire, mine bestowed

by my mother’s burning heart

Why are you like this? my friends ask

with gazes, questioning

The locks of chaos

Dancing brightly from my head

I was born from curious arson

When they meet her,

I always see

them blink

in understanding.

Father

By David Smith

i was a boy, i saw my father’s love

a strong man with a gentle care

a boy, i watched him dance with his daughter

i saw his body, a shield for hers

as their smiles became mirrors

i was playing, my mother fell ill

in an aluminum chariot,

my father rushed home

to her, he became her legs

i was a boy, i saw my father’s love

i’m growing up, i’ll be soon a man

from him i’ve learned much:

how to protect, how to shave, how to love

to tell righteous wrath from rage

i’ll soon decide what man i want to be

i was a boy, i saw my father’s love