across the bay

your father
with his thick hands
around the oars
rowed the small
planked
boat across the bay.
the waves splashed
against
and over
the sides, wetting
your shoes.
your sunburned face.
no life
jackets on
you and your brothers
your sisters.
five of you,
under the age
of ten,
sailing
under the power
of his mighty
arms.
going for ice
cream. your love
for ice cream
has never diminished
nor your love
for him,
although his
reckless life
and way of thinking
has not eluded
you either.