The Total of Remembering

 The Total of Remembering

I remember

green eyes,

a large nose

and white teeth.

I remember

after-shave lotion,

gnarled hands

and two strong arms.

I remember

bickering,

no argument being won,

and a dancer.

I remember

combing hair,

old cars,

and country roads.

I remember

a large hand holding mine,

a jean leg

and leather shoes.

I remember

a shake of the head,

a threat with a belt,

and a disapproving look.

I remember a quiet talk,

a fast walk, 

and going to the mountains.

I remember

a deep voice,

a rumbling laughter

and a loud song.

I remember

a shiny buckle,

a leather belt,

and a handkerchief.

I remember

dark hair, 

a favorite chair

and a trip to the zoo.

I remember

a harmonica being played

checking out library books

and black and white photographs.

I remember

learning to swim,

a quick way to do math

and playing games.

I remember

carnival rides,

watching parades,

and a rodeo.

I remember

a large garden,

fresh vegetables

and Popular Mechanics.

And one day, I remember

adding up all my 

remembering and 

there he was...my father!

E. Moscoso

June 19, 1981

with updates on June 16, 2013