A DIALOGUE

DADDY, IS IT ALRIGHT
IF I SIT UP IN YOUR LAP
AND WRITE BLOOD PRESSURE THINGS
IN MY BOOK?

WHAT IS THAT YOU'RE WRITING
WITH THAT BLACK PEN, DADDY?

POEMS FOR GRANDFATHERS
WHO LIVED THEIR TIMES
AND LEFT THEIR MARKS
ON THE LAND
LIBERTY LIFE
PACIFIC MILLS
RED CEDAR LOGS
AND YOU

THEIR BONES NOW REST
WITH ALL GRANDFATHER'S BONES
EMPTY HOUSES
WHERE GRANDFATHERS
ONCE LIVED

YESTERDAYS ARE ALL USED UP
TOMORROW IS IN YOUR EYES

(JAN/9/1981
REH)