Why I Stare

Yes, everything can change
In an instant,
Or an eternity,
Or so it seems,
I gaze at our daughter's face.
Admiring,
Cherishing,
Wishing this moment will linger.
"Why are you staring at me, Dad?"
I sigh.
"I love looking at you,
Like I love looking at flowers,
Or watching the waves,
Or the sunset."
Questions scrunch her face.
"That's silly, Dad."
"You'll understand
When you have your own babies."

Years later, I caught her staring at her own baby.
"Now do you see why I stare at you, even now?"
She gave me a warm, tight hug.

New Year's Resolution 2020

Tell me now, why

Every single year

On New Year's day

People are

Coerced,

Compelled,

Obligated,

And worst of all,

Made to feel guilty

If they don’t,

Won’t,

Or can’t

Make a New Year’s resolution

To improve?

What if they be just fine

The way they bloody be?

I ain’t saying

That making a resolution

is a bad thing.

Well, it could be a bad thing.

Maybe it should be a bad thing.

If we must,

If there be no way

Around it,

Why don’t we

Make a resolution

To be naughtier this year?

Why do we feel

We always have to be

Pure and holy?

I, for one,

If I must make

A new year’s resolution It be to be

Happy with meself

As I am,

Continuing to be kind

To everyone.

Well, maybe not everyone.

I don’t like termites

Eating me house down.

OK, termites aside,

I’ll be kind

To everyone else.

And I will be naughtier

This year than last.