Sonnet to Father

Thank you, my father, for the space you gave For teaching me to notice those who stay Though twelve birthdays have passed without your face I’m no less thankful for you anyway Thank you, my father, for the bus rides missed Mum and I would count pigeons as we moved And now I cannot help but reminisce I’m thankful you weren’t there to spoil the mood Thank you, my father, for parents’ days skipped And for the recital invites ignored I’m off to college, was that in your script? Nonetheless, thank you, I’m happy you got bored. From you, I’ve learned what manhood ought to be So thank you, dad, thank you for leaving me.