The Gift

The Gift
By David P. Rundle

There was a small room in the armory,
A cooled room with a couch
My sister ushered the old man and me there

So while the wedding dance swayed,
I stayed with the old man
I was on the couch and he in an office chair

He leaned close to hear me as he spoke
Told me of the country school
Where he went eight years and struggled

He said he learned more with his kids
Said he grew up with us

While he talked on these things, we held hands,
My father and me
Age had cooled his
But it was gentle

Rachel came to get him
For his oxygen was running low

But I will remember forever
The night Jose wed Kayla
And I held my father’s hand