Marc Darnell
Paternal Traits
When I look in the mirror I see my father
looking back at me, those same eyes,
same nose. He's disappointed by my rather
dark outlook on life, how I tell lies
to hide anxiety inherited
from my mother, and inability
to show love or conquer common dread.
Mirror father shows his hostility
in my cracked frown beneath this amber beard,
and as I almost choke on these fat pills
mirror father looks at me with fear,
afraid that dark anxiety will kill
what's left of him that occupies my face–
a wan reflection blank and out of place.
Bio
Marc has published poems for 40 years in various journals on 4 continents. He is an online tutor and custodian in Omaha, Nebraska.
His latest book,
The Sower, was published recently by CyberWit Press.