Dead Father

It happened this year
This month
Just one week ago
Late at night
Time flies
Yesterday he was in his early fifties and
I was pregnant with his first grandchild
He said he needed to take better care of himself
He was so happy that I had a baby
And used to stop by every Sunday on his way and
Every Friday returning again
To see the baby

We moved states away
Took that little one far from all he knew
He cried that he wanted to go home
He did not mean where we lived after moving

When my daughter arrived on earth
It took six months before my dad could visit
Holding her for the first time
She burst into tears
Afraid of her grandpa
Who adored her

Tumultuous, our relationship
Anger embarrassment cringing
Overpowering definition of everyone but himself
Until finally, old enough, I grew up
And saw my aging father and missed him
In advance of his death