Dad

A quiet afternoon on the porch.

I am exactly where I want to be at this moment,
with my dad.

I don't know how many more moments like this there will be.

Listening to birds,
squirrels on a porch,
him by my side

He looks at me
as my pen moves
wondering what I write
as he rocks gently in his chair
before falling off to sleep,
heels flat against the floor,
chin tucked into his dreams.

I don't know how many more moments like this there will be.

But at least I'll carry this one forever.

A poem by Pemba Umoja