600

at her graduation
her father an empty oil painting
full of dark drink and crying
put himself in the corner

the nights before
his daughter was sprawled on my
ragged couch
playing with the loose strings
a vodka spilled beside her feet
said
“ten years ago
I knew my father only as hands
never affirming
only there to leave purple marks
little love kisses”
she laughed at the last part

one never knows the right time
to cut himself off
so words spilled out of my mouth
replacing bile I was holding back
sorry
I know I said that a lot