he comes and goes

OF SKY AND DAD AND ME
by
Norris Perlman


My father took me for a ride at night
in a great smooth open boat. And
there were apples taped to its cupboard
and I asked him if the one which was
partially eaten was good and he said


Oh yes, very good.


So cautiously I untaped it and looking at it
I took a bite. And it was good,
good and green. As we came near the
point I asked of him and he told me
he cried often at this time of night—how
he lay back and the sky opened up to him
and he cried into the sky. All this time
I had been watching the moon-full,
moon-bright sky shining with dark clouds illumined;
light at night. And sky was wonderful
and sky was calm and alone he dad cried.
I said


That's beautiful


and meant his telling me was close and
warm, and I reached and pulled him to
me, love sweet simple, a child. And though
I always knew him sad, I understood him most
clearly this time and I knew he felt good.