dad was

dad was
    half a thousand things
    before the wedding ring
    encircled his square
    he'd been everywhere

dad was
    ten thousand things
    he had shown to me
    without ever being there
    like pupping a tent alone

dad was
    a million things
    wanted to say to him
    and now in review
    saw aloud but a few

dad is
    dead as dust
    calm as ash
    living and well
    in my sleeping cell