SUCH GREAT HIATT

Your father was a great man
whose enemies feared him
vassals loved him
and women resented what he made them want to do.
He was powerful
and just
and fairly even-handed
in his vengeance.

The common folk spoke well of him
and he was polite to them
if somewhat distant.
Perhaps that is what it was like
growing up
around the house.
I wouldn’t know about that.

Your father was a fine man
important in his way
though, it seems,
no good as a dad.