less by the son

the child wants to ride
on his father's back
and cries
to do so.
the man leans down
and the boy, heavy
as a wet stone leaps
on. around they go,
red faced father,
his tie undone,
his shirt with mud
from a swinging shoe.
out of breath,
down the slope
of green and up again.
together as one.
such short lived mirth
will be remembered,
but more by the father,
less by the son.