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A mans deception is only overcome by the truth in his silence

Only drowned out by a motionless tongue

Still your voice and allow your eyes to do the talking

for one gaze is worth more to me than a hundred false phrases

and the messages delivered in your stare, the pure self inside you




No longer do you have to shield me within concrete walls,

or perhaps they're just what you hide behind to guard yourself

But I'd rather see your pain, how hurt you truly are

for only then can I actually begin to comfort you

Uncover these wounds, because only then can they really start to heal



Don't attempt to fool me with a faulty grin

Smiles can't cover tears, Dad

so let them slide as I fix my eyes upon yours




Your mother, the one who

tucked you in as a child to protect you from the shadows on your walls

who called you every Sunday for years, just to see if her boy was still living well

who always resented my mother for taking you away from her

and the one who brought you into this world

has now left it

She is gone, and yet I feel as if I've wept more than you have




I've heard of the indestructible Berlin Wall giving way

even the perfectly buoyant Titanic going under

And as for you, now is not the time to be strong, Dad




I need to know, for you to show me that I'm still a man

Even when broken down, and soft under side exposed, vulnerable




You don't have to be afraid to crumble, to sink your head in my shoulder

pound your fists to the ground in agony

or bow your head in prayer, as you haven't for so many years

Because I will always understand the need




For I stare across the room at my mom

and can't fathom losing her, not now, never




And I catch you watching the phone some Sunday afternoons, still hoping for a ring

it seems you almost resent your wife too,

for stealing you from her,

and you sleep restless most nights,

Maybe it's the shadows on your wall.




But until the day you stop fighting your quivering upper lip

and let salty streams free fall down your façade of a face

I am only able to grant you a false grin in return when you tell me you're alright

I still wait for your true answer when I ask how you're doing

For you to look me in the eyes and finally put an end to this deception

Dad, it's been over a year now

the lies are getting weak and so am I

When will you also give in?