He was a dapper dresser; he enjoyed
shopping for suits and top coats,
hats and shoes with leather soles.
He would take the new hat and crease
it down the middle, put it on over
his thick, wavy, gray hair and play
awhile with the brim, getting it just
right while looking in the mirror —
maybe a bit like Cagney or Bogie.
He left the purchase of white shirts
and ties for his birthday and Father’s
Day to his son and daughter — shirts
and ties every birthday and Father’s
Day. He came to count on it because
those were always the presents —
shirts and ties always.