For Darlene, Gina, Taylor, Jim, and, of course, B.A.
Banter at the tennis court, often strange,
Grew epic when Backhand Bob mesmerized,
Explaining how reunion capsized
His life into warm seas—left him deranged.
Fifty years later, back in Illinois,
These high school grads (those that survived life’s pain)
Gathered—and there, Darlene, delight unfeigned,
Snap-shot him. Dolly—his first love, heart’s joy!
She explained, the next day, that photo’s task—
To show your only daughter Dad’s true face.
“My daughter? What daughter?” choking, he gasped—
Yes Bob, your daughter, with two children graced!
A golden aura drowned his black, bleak pall—
Bob’s proud life bloomed, meant something after all!
(4/22/11)