My Father Said Soul Instead of Soil After the Stroke

By Mark LaMonda

Peace in place of pain.

Harmony in place of heartbreak.

Dear Lord, I thought nothing

could break this man straight.

Grow instead of go.

Tender in place of terror.

Desire in place of death.

He said – the peace is tender.

He said – the harmony of desire.

He said -- bury me in fertile soul,

I am finally ready to grow.

My father said – my cherished son,

what fun is this?

I took his hand and nodded,

satisfied with the literal translation.

Author Bio: Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mark LaMonda is an artist and writer who currently lives in Santa Clarita, California. His work has appeared in Painted Bride Quarterly, Tough Poets Review, SoFloPoJo, Autumn Sky and is forthcoming in San Pedro River Review, Rat's Ass Review and Blue Unicorn.

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