We’ve just finished a conversation, my dad and I

We’re sitting in silence,

so calm I can feel my thoughts.

There’s a familiar look on his face, I see it now.

Anyone would’ve missed it,

but not me

not when I’ve seen it before

It’s the same look he gets

when he’s lost in thought

He’s not thinking about the past, no,

It’s the future that fascinates him.

The way he talks about it

it seems set in concrete,

like nothing could ever change it

He’ll retire at fifty

and work on the antique

since he’s never had time before

And when he gets bored,

we all know he’ll get bored,

he’ll try teaching ‘cause it’s what he lives for

His favorite part of his job,

never actually the machinery

but teaching people how it worked He’s tried to show me

but I’ve never understood

Just don’t have the knack, I guess

But seeing him like this,

calm,

and serene and confident and hopeful I think

I think that’s true optimism

And it takes me by surprise How he can still hold on

Because I know,

and he knows,

that he’ll never ever see this day

Mackenzie Taylor

Age 16, 11th Grade

Freedom High School

Bethlehem Area School District