Rinsing Fatherhood
(for Reuben Fisher)
My sons are grown and gone,
though I still hear
their cries of laughter
in the emptied house.
I have built them up
and befriended them
as best I could.
Once I held them high
in both arms, as babes,
to greet the sun
and the whole earth,
or let them rest
nestled safely in my arms.
Now there is near-equal handclasp
and perhaps a hug.
Once I controlled and taught;
now I am a concerned advisor
and hopefully a well-regarded friend.
For me, as for them,
a new stage of life begins.
I will return to old pursuits
and find new ones.
So I have come to this good pool
in solemn ceremony
to wash away the invisible sweat
of years of active fatherhood.
I will give both hands again
to my bride of many years,
and we will walk on together.
Keith Tornheim, July 2008
Rinsing Childhood
(for David Fisher)
I am grown and gone,
but my boyish laughter
still echoes in my father's house.
He built me up
and befriended me
as best he could.
Once he held me high
in both arms, as a babe,
to greet the sun
and the whole earth,
or let me rest
nestled safely in his arms.
Now there is near-equal handclasp
and perhaps a hug.
Once I was controlled and taught;
now I will listen to advice,
but I must decide for myself.
For me, as for him,
a new stage of life begins.
So I have come to this good pool
in solemn ceremony
to wash away the invisible sweat
of years of childhood games.
I am a young man now,
with other dreams and purposes,
and I must go my way.
Keith Tornheim, July 2008