The Mirage

A poem about my father.

I swear to God
I thought I saw you the other day.
I was downtown
on the Green Route Bus,
and saw you on a street corner
in the rain.

I thought, "Surely not,
surely not, surely not."
My father left so long ago.
But I could've sworn to God
it was you
outside that window.

I ran off the bus,
out to the street.
The rain was pouring so hard,
I could barely see.
I ran to you,
to the corner of Limestone and Vine.
And there you were! My God, there you were!
Until your eyes met mine.

Some stranger
I'd never seen before
looking at me like I was nuts.
And the hope of seeing you again
vanished downtown with the Green Route Bus.

I swallow my tears,
and clinch up my fists.
The father I'd thought I'd found was nothing.
Just a mirage in the mist.