Making Shore

When they talk of those who are here only in spirit

they are speaking of my father

he is in Vancouver tonight and not at La Peña

cheering the release of Fernando Gonzalez from prison

barrel hitch, timber hitch, blood knot to mend a broken line

when a stranger comes to the door, I don’t answer

it’s either a neighbor or a church lady

come to tell me that I can believe in science

and still be a Seventh-day Adventist

opiate of the masses—cool my veins, numb my heart

lift me from here—alpine butterfly

bowline, water knot, clove hitch

I carry bags home from the store

sit out on the porch

listen to his voice on the answering machine

he says, you are never home