Competition

Of the many people I have touched

it’s Andrew –

strange and unusual

even now, nearly 21 years on – who holds

my face to his own, forehead to forehead:

a chubby face, clear godlike eyes,

soft and strong muscles like living elastic.

I can look into the starburst

of an iris and see twinkle, concern, mischief,

truth, old age, and, much, much more

-a wisdom-

as he pushes against me pressing

head to head, heart to heart and saying

‘Come on Dad, you can do it, you can do it!’