Father I Dreamed

Carl Roach

One night after you died

You stood atop

Long unlighted stairs

Pressing against purple velvet rope

Hung between narrow walls

Blocking your assent.

Peoria

In the basement

Holding each other Mother and I

Watched the rope stretch

Bringing you down

Jesse

Until we almost felt your hands

Then pull you back

Out of reach

Up dark steps

To a landing I could never see.

NIU

Towers, XLIX, Fall 1977

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