Written with simplicity
for dad, daddy, poopa
as I feel now the passage of years
starts to weigh on me

What can I write for you dad, daddy, poopa
from this distant place
so far removed from sun-drenched memories
and the smell of Brylcream, aftershave braces,
dry cut grass, cricket balls and bats, linseed oil,
moldy books, ledgers and paper folders

Marked visibly by too many winters
can I hope once more dad, daddy, poopa
to hear your trumpet-like laughter
soaring over heated debates
on political issues and social ills
or is the foreboding silent treatment
more alive than it ever was
leaving no room for discussion
the threat of precise and dutifully administered
cut arse or benzine is gone
but some blemishes remain

In this new land dad, daddy, poopa
filled with cold Protestant purity
that mocks its multiculturalism ideal daily
the rites, virtues and curses
you bestowed on me long ago
constantly return to haunt me
ORGANIZATION
is still the key to operational efficiency
THE TRIBE IS SCATTERED NOW
but both the visible
and the invisible accompany me as I play the waiting game

Waiting, Watching, Wondering, Hoping
as I once Waited, Watched, Wondered, and Hoped
after you as to whether it was all worthwhile

To you my beloved father
dad, daddy, poopa
bringer of hot lunches
philosopher, pragmatist, psychologist
all rolled into one
"You cannot eat your cake and have it too",
"Don't put the cart before the horse",
"You can bring a horse to water
but you can never make it drink",
"Too much of one thing is good for nothing",
"Procrastination is the thief of all time",
"Speak well of your friends,
and of your enemy nothing",
"The child is father of the man",
and "fowl don't make pigeon"
resonate again and again inside my head
and well they should too

But most of all
I remember your unfailing belief in me
and whatever I chose to pursue
I have often wondered
if sitting there in your Kabalah after conquering the yard
on your favourite chair
sipping on an icy cold beer
you could just for a fleeting moment see
that my unfailing belief in you
gave me the fire in my heart
to conquer the mountains
that life has put before me
as I slowly, ever so slowly
become you dad, daddy, poopa