I knew your father, a way you never did

sitting at a bar, a little off the grid

He became my friend, a teacher, a time

his stories enthralled me and then became mine

his friendship was real, honest and true

He was consistent, easy to turn to

Like father and more, he became part of my day

drinking and talking, never a cliché

We didn’t always see things and completely agree

but our friendship was deeper, I was made to see

What he saw in me, I never understood

he carved out a table of ancient redwood

Beer and wings, sometimes a little more

I hope we meet again, on a distant mystical  shore

Now he is gone, some days I feel a bother

I’m just glad I can say “I knew your father”