Father’s Day ’13
Haibun
The crescendos of a jazz trumpeter blend with the plucked strings of a stand-up bass and the percussion of drums. The trio plays on as we snack on crackers and cheese, our backs to a tree, overlooking the pool.
lovers hold hands…
A ripple of sunlight on
clear water
The intense thrills of Man of Steel. Kryptonian battles Kryptonian amidst falling skyscrapers. A young man comes into his own.
A heartbreaking raised hand, a smile. A loss echoed by the scream: “Dad!”
slapping my arm
Frankie needs no comfort…
hot buttered popcorn
Our walk through Ramsey. Our conversation. Soft, crunching, tangy bites of baked crab meat at dinner later. The sweet, cheesy cannoli cream with the crunch shell.
A happy day.
Still, the aches from unseen open wounds: a scream, a fist-fall, a shattered face. A gravestone unvisited.
Even on Father’s Day.
a barren patch…
near the memorial our
petunias grow
more by FRANK J. TASSONE
photograph by Jens Thakkeveettil
