About that Night

Mid eighties, early thirties
location gig co-starring role
popular television cop buddy show
nowhere motel okay

Payday most made
had some lines, some on the floor
excited but not really
stop chasing the dream soon after

No memory of the trist
her name, time, location
was the moon full?
Midwest meets Hollywood

Single life for over twenty five years
no time for commitments
career driven
lots of time not dating nor cared

No background checks
drivers license exchange… not
banal chitchats limited
pheromones maxed out

Drinking perhaps
not to excess
where the hell and when
did this happen?

Awkward back seat
your room or mine
standing up against a wall
horizontal position A?

Heard it was a sprint
not a marathon
no phone number written on napkin
her name opaque at best

DNA kits private investigator
family tree assembled charts printed out
results in…. I am your father
decades over three…..neither of us knew

You suspected…wanted answers
your mom…. maybe embarrassed…. not speaking
man who raised you for five years
probably knew

He was doing his best considering
…….time went by
still no answers…..more time went by
questions still unanswered

Two grandchildren now I have
man child Ryker at eleven
chalk drawing sidewalk performance art
sweet smile little sister Maya just seven

You served in Iraq-jar head marine 05-06’
various gigs later pipeline Alaska, lumber mill, construction
well known in state now
pizza man Sfumato Neapolitan style

Notified by my big brother
via text playing senior league hardball
Santa Barbara field
fifty years removed seeing live pitching.. nucking futs

Prank thought I
when bro said I was a father and grandfather
“What? Shit. Really? Soft smile wondering who
pushing seventy I’m now a dad!!! Really?

Holidays now conflicted
where to go who to see
finding out age appropriate gifts
Hey dad, “Can you watch the kids today”?

Portland Oregon to Alton Iowa
my two wheel companion takes me there
four days and a half big rides
camping…. Motels…. calming anxious mindset

Side by side picture doesn’t lie
you are my son science are facts
That Night now reality
so proud so thankful