LEGACY

Which of us deserves a perfect father?
The man who is himself the perfect son.
And who presumes his father be the better
part of Gandhi, Lee, and Washington?
The son who’s overcome with flawless art
the ways and bents and firm proclivities
inscribed on family chromosomes that chart
our good along with darker tendencies.
To blame the man for failings he possessed
will not forgive the umbrage that you bear;
the anger in the end will only wrest
from gene and life a rocky thoroughfare.
And be aware your father’s worst abuse
may rise in you and be your son’s excuse.

Contemporary Rhyme Vol. 3, No. 2, Spring 2006

THE OCCASIONAL FIRE

POEMS
Life Scroll
Spirit Wings
Death in the Family
Flight Chief
Legacy
Honeymoon Photo, October, 1939
49 Chevy
The Seed of Me
Land of Rest
On Allison's Leaving
Telecom's Bequest
Starbucks, Tuesday, 3:36 p.m.
Action Still
Vital Meaning
Fools

HYMNS
God will not let us go
The rising sun blazed out of night
Light! Light! A shattering light
Worship the Lord
As a doe

ABOUT MARK RHOADS