the truth of things
is in the telling
so when we sit
our children down
(separately
since they are so different)
we may avoid certain
deadly words
only warn them
that I will feel tired
sometimes
after my medicine
for up to two days
not quite the man
they have gotten used to
ready to throw down
with mock-ferocity
even at six o’clock
in the morning
instead I will claim
a sinister gentleness
my rightful weakness
we will expect them
to understand
that this is not
the same as dying
which is another word
we won’t utter
as long as they don’t
ask the wrong questions
they need never
come to terms
with mortality
until it happens
and our betrayals
are at an end
from subTerrain #73