Truck in the Driveway

Dad came home today
This afternoon
Content with the day's work, and
___not reeking of boozy sweat
Dad came home today
Early, now, on time:
___Not tonight,
______after a pensive supper
______eaten in silence
______between mother and son
___Not out of the darkness adults call 'morning'
______wanting to talk, argue, shout
______after the house was silent,
______the lights out

I must have lived right today
___Been kind and humble
___Observed the rituals, avoided the cracks
___Took the right route home
___Whispered the effective prayer with
______true conviction
___My karma aligned; this the reward
______of a loving son;
___a kindness
______to a small animal
_________in a cage a city wide
____________and a bedroom deep.

Thank you, God; my
Dad came home today