This Father’s Day, instead of a tribute to his dad,
about whom he has written much,
self-pondering he would explore instead
without making much of a fuss.

He hardly knows all about himself
and he is sure the kids know him better
so he will put himself on a shelf
and examine his life down to the letter.

But that is not fair to his life written
because he would be drawn to faults
and things his children have forgiven,
and so they will speak adults to adults.

They won’t want to travel old terrain.
The present is just fine to explore.
From asking forgiveness once more he must refrain.
And simply let them say, “I love you, dad,” once more.