My Only Defense

He held my daughter’s hands
as she took her first steps.

I smiled,
remembering
how he smelled of baby powder,
his toothless grin,
the first time I held him.

Twenty odd years passed
overnight.

Where’s the little boy I used to tickle?
The kid on his skateboard?
The Marine I was so proud of?

Gone in a split second.

I keep asking myself
Why?
Why him?
Why now?
Even though knowing the answer wouldn’t change a thing.

Believing a greater good will come
is my only defense.

I mourn the loss
of the man he was
and the man
he had not yet become.

A husband.
A father.

Though I saw a glimpse of that man once...
the day he held my daughter’s hands.

Just saw Bob Freeman's wonderful cover art for Death In Common Edited by Rich Ristow. I'm really proud to be a part of this project and can't wait for the anthology's release. More information on the release date coming soon.

Just got word that my poem, "The Last Latte," has been accepted to the Death In Common anthology. I'm happy to be sharing space with so many other great writers (Monica O'Rourke, Wrath James White, JG Faherty, to name a few.)

My poem, "Poison," has been published in the current issue of Space And Time Magazine. Many thanks to S&T's poetry editor, Linda Addison, for accepting the piece. I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be in a magazine with an Alan M. Clark cover. I might actually like Monday this week :)

The TOC for Issue #103 can be viewed here. Stop over and order a copy today.