25

His eyes

blinking like a semaphore seaman

                                                   under attack

  as he lay in his hospital bed

             unasure of the identity

                                        of his visiting sons                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

And I wonder

          if his coded message

                            is a sign of recognition

                            or a silent cry for help

Turning my head

                  to cry from the shame

                                        that even now

                                          I can not equal his strength