Path Poem by Francis Santaquilani

I'm raising you and myself too.
I'm your daddy and my daddy too.

We walk a magnolia-lined path
Along the river down to the city.

This walk is as much for me
As it is for you. Our feet barely

Touch the concrete. We sail
As we keep pace with the boats on

The river. And we talk. This talk
Is as much for me as it is for you.

I talk to you as I would've wanted
To be talked to. Fat, shiney

Magnolia leaves wave and white
Blossoms open as we pass

Mockingbirds dart, crisscrossing
The path ahead of our steps. All

That makes me as happy as
It makes you. So many perfect days

Down here, stacked high like
Flapjacks in a cartoon. Making me as

Giddy as it makes you. Blessings
Counted as we walk. Outnumbering

Sidewalk cracks. The cartoon numbers
Bounce around in our heads.

Amazing me as much as it amazes
You. We pick up the pace as

The bridges appear. This thrills me
As much as it thrills you. You

Squint and jump to see the angels
Of icecream at the bottom of the hill.

I see them too, and over my shoulder
My demons falling farther back.