I hope this life sustains Rose.— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
This one of coming and going
this love for a week and then
wait for two.
I think of Chris and I’m always
amazed at my thoughts
small person with eyes
of such potential and trust
Loving Danny grew on me
like the ivy that overcame the church
but Chris has been a storm
ever since Rose and I gave him his life.
I hope she holds on
all my life, or hers.
Its the only feeling I have
that runs deeper
than the joy of living
and its pleasures
amen.
I’ve been so reckless with it
and I’ve been so lucky.
gallagher
11 apr 1981
Vancouver, B.C.
Archive for the ‘Chris’ Category
1981-04-11
Saturday, April 11th, 19811981-11-29 – Chris didn’t know
Sunday, November 29th, 1981
Our lives are made fragile by the things that we love
and the years our love brings to bear.
Chris lay sleeping as I prepared to leave
and I stood and stared thru the bars of his crib.
He loves me to tickle him and his eyes shine as he squeals
and he can say 'Da-dee' and does, again and again.
Some place from far back inside of me
as I looked watching him sleep
I thought of how fragile are all of our lives.
The patterns of security, comfort and association we erect
against these wars and illnesses, crimes and disasters...
none of them are less real, because we love.
Its just that my perception
of how life and its vagaries comes together
with our love and its attachments
has sharpened with age.
As the blunders of youth's mania
and other distortions fall away
and I see the 'human condition' more,
and I cringe at how naked we stand.
But Chris didn't know ... even that I was leaving
his blankets and thumb and baby fat warmth
defined the world he knows.
gallagher
29 Nov 1981
LAX, Vancouver bound
— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
1982-10-08 My Sons
Friday, October 8th, 1982My Sons— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
My sons a man could be proud of
they say something of the best of Rose and I
with a cut and line, a form
that my eye never fails to fall on, pleased.
Danny, the sensitive blond and popular artist of us
how well he’s formed thru the caldron
of our marriage years and evolutions
The man begins to show in him
as firm and as deep as I could wish it
and I want to stand back and applaud
and give him room and respect to grow in
And Chris, blocky intense little Chris
affectionate and secure, pushy and proud
his potential and promise fill him with presence
he radiates ‘I am a good boy’, without any doubts
My sons
they make me prouder than anything else
I’ve ever done.
10-08-82
Vancouver, B.C.