My 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.
Archive for the ‘Dan’ Category
1982-10-08 My Sons
Friday, October 8th, 19821983-02-28
Monday, February 28th, 1983Sometimes small boy dreams float over me— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
camping trips not taken, rocks not polished
days spent walking around someone
who will so quickly grow and move on
someone whose young disappointments
were only my laziness
baseball, racquetball, model building, Mexico
and he grows so well
in spite of all I’ve forgotten
to do.
gallagher
02-28-83
1983-09-13
Tuesday, September 13th, 1983Patterns seem to be forming— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
and I begin to fear War
I read ‘The Clowns of God’ by Morris
and now the real Pope announces
that he feels War more immanent
because of the rising cries for peace.
And some where in the last few days
I read that someone (the Pope?)
feels we’re leaving the ‘post-war period’
and entering a ‘pre-war period’.
In Beruit 28 men out of 90 survived
a hand to hand attack with hatchets
and, then, the Korean flight, 007,
was shot down this last week.
The faces of Danny and Chris swim before my eyes
against the back drop of nuclear conflict
and the inescapability of Los Angeles
in wartime.
The only thing that comes to mind
when I try to imagine War as not inevitable
is the sheer stupidity of it.
But, somehow, that seems small defense
in the world of ever lessening resources
and ever growing competition for them.
Children, families, neighborhoods, blood lines
toys, momentos, health, life, and life works
are all irrevocably torn asunder by War …
Where will I hide a little boy
who says, ‘Daddy, I love you, so much.’
and hugs me with such simple trust…?
gallagher
13 September 83 – Irvine, CA