A Stranger.

A Poem by Madison.

Block Poetry

I see him trudging up our walk through the dusty screen door. I am frozen to the spot. I do not believe it is him. So many nights have I dreamed of this moment. How can I be sure it is so now? he pauses just before the door. A filmy veil between us. His eyes are dead and his right leg is turned at an uncomfortable angle. Now I know this is real. I see the cane supporting his weakened body. Could I be that support? Could I be strong enough? Not a word is said as he limps through the door to our small front room. Immense sorrow has weighed his shoulders. Our baby boy does not know his own father as he sits open-eyed on my hip, his little hand clutching the neck of my dress. He begins to cry as he watches this stiff stranger sitting in our living room. I cry with him. Together, we watch as his strong jaw slackens.