making the rounds

you decide to pay
a visit
to your aging father
of 85
hard won
years.
it's too early
for a bag of tomatoes,
but he'll
have a book
for you waiting.
maybe
a sandwich
and a slice of
pie.
he knows how
to make you happy.
as you do
him. you bring
nothing
but love
and affection.
conversation.
a few jokes he can
use as
he makes his rounds
on Monday
from the gym
to the krispy crème,
to the commissary,
then home.