Ryan Tyree, dad of Dylan Marshall, born still on May 18, 2011, writes, “here’s one from the days when the flames were all around me”.
These words alone deserve a posting, how accurately they describe the oppressive heat of grief that threatens to suffocate a person in the early weeks and months. They gain power, however, when paired with the poem below. Thanks, Ryan, for sharing.
A Father to A Son
you should have been there with me
at the graduation proceedings
you couldn’t be there with me
at my best man’s wedding
you were not there with me
at church this morning
you won’t be with me
in VT this summer
since you’re in a box
a little fucking box
on a shelf
in the room
we prepared
for you
our firstborn
son
by Ryan Tyree