Here's one about my dad.
My dad was an interesting person.
I remember clearly when the papers are saying
there's going to be an eclipse.
And none of us knew what that was in our neighborhood.
But it didn't sound good.
And my father was often enough, he
was something of a scoundrel.
But he was also a very devout deacon of the Baptist church.
And my father used to say, I'm going to heaven.
And I'd say are you pretty sure about that.
I didn't see it myself.
And he said God understands a man like me.
And I thought, wow God is deep.
It's pretty good.
Anyway, "Faith."
"My father was so sure that afternoon,
he put on his Sunday suit and waited
by the front porch, one hand gripping
his hat, the other in his jacket,
to greet the end of the world.
He stood there patient during the eclipse,
during the darkening day just before the war.
As we watched huddled from the bedroom door,
his bowing eyes, the only hopeful light on Purdy street."