REMEMBERING DAD

for Hector Combattente, Date of death: 10/27/1995

October's chill-
from the old man's window
leaves dying slowly,
a beginning race with time
and the weather

all night the rain
and the knocking wind-
he speaks in whispers
and waits for a morning
that doesn't come

clearing skies-
the dull thud of damp earth
on the coffin;
how can a hundred and six years
be confined in so small a space

Ribbons, winter 2006/2007