In My Father’s Atmosphere
By Jade
I know you are still here
otherwise, how could a crisp call before dawn
blurted out from me, and
for several days?
you must have wanted to hear me
calling you “dad” again
I sit at the dinner table in the morning
on the left is your seat, and the mug
that I gave you last Father's Day
I used to warm up a bowl of soy milk for you
then quietly shared a fritter
sometimes, I made a pot of dough drop soup
we both ate wholeheartedly, face to face
but now, only a bowl of cold cereal
catching my tears
These days, I fell asleep on the sofa in the living room
your smell is still there, also on the blanket, and books
in this world, and in the coming years
I would never find the smell of my father again
let me enjoy the last few peaceful sleep nights
in my father’s atmosphere
2019.9.6