Dad's Birthday

I remember you were always

Hard to buy for.

When we were little

You and mom said,

All you wanted was "Good kids."

Well, I knew there was a whole lot more to wish for

So I tried socks,

100% cotton shirts,

Books on subjects of interest,

Candy for your sweet tooth

Donations to charity for your heart

And masses said for your soul.

But the best gift

I think was the

Brown corduroy bathrobe I made for you.

Mom said she had to mend it so many times

She just about remade it.

But you wouldn't give it up.

It was nicely worn in

And comfortable.

I was always secretly proud

When I'd see you in that bathrobe.

Even if it was falling apart.

It made me feel connected to you

Like the sash tying it all together

Or a warm hug

To shy to embrace.

I like to think you kept wearing it too

For the love that was in it

And not just because

It was a comfortable brown corduroy bathrobe.