Analysis of A FATHERS DAY

A FATHERS DAY

And as I wait that steel tipped footfall
My audit ready to recall
Beneath the roar of yellow gas
From a guttered mantle light shall pass

His uniform dark against gaslight
Lapels that sport two crowns so bright
And at his legside piping red
Exposed his gait the great coat shed

His hands turned blue against the cold
A hero true to one five years old
That moved through darkness of the night
But came back home at each first light

His diner warming in the steam
The hot food set where cold had been
A rush of water kettle filled
A broken silence as hands swilled

But then to note this child stood there
Infested eyes no sleep to spare
That waited for him all night long
For punishment shriven by some wrong

A table laid but just for one
Becomes the court where justice done
This Solomon wise yet bent to shrewd
Divides the plate to share the food

This clemency bestowed by night
Was fair and just to one contrite
Who waits to tremble racked with fear
Of an indulgence not found here

Laid to the bed of quiet content
The child of one steeped lenient
This deed unseen by all but two
Upon the eve of a day off due

From loading trains with posted mail
To always be there, never fail
Remembered now on a special day
The night a father taught a son his way