I didn’t take notes.
I interviewed my dad
seeking answers
trying to get beneath the history
I’d heard only through anecdotes
so I asked the questions
and he answered as well as he could
for while his short term had gone to shit
his long term seemed all right.

But I took no notes
and now that he’s gone
it is possible that my memory
is as shot as his
since the facts are evasive
escapist
pouring out my porous skull.

While I still have space for the contents of
Amazing Spider-Man # 122
I’m not sure what bone
my father broke in Israel
or how he lost his virginity.
We discussed these things
I thought
but now he’s gone
and so perhaps is his history.

I should have taken notes.
I should have listened better.
I should have done more
to keep him alive
and now
in these grave times
all that’s left
is digging down
sifting for answers
about his bones.