Mental Atrophy

Since

My father is gone

Days have heaped in a pile

He left, but he left

His steady work in my chest

I did not mourn

For him, not for a while

My own demons

Shadowed me

Closer to comfort

My father is gone

Run off to the forest

He left me instructions

Never to laugh

Never to cry

Never to feel

The drums in my heart

He told me

Never to work

Never to covet

That which I lack

My father is gone

Days heaped in a pile

I await his return

Not that he will

Be coming back