Dad, Walt & Robin

[Boss]

My father lurks
behind opaque skies,
in deep red claret,
at the football.
He's smiling now
not sad like he was.
He sits with Whitman
explaining Patterson
and CJ Dennis,
black lung cancer
and the blues.
Whitman laughs
with Williams and Dad
on Dead Poet's Society
Mork and Mindy, Fonzie
Phyllis Diller or Patty Duke.

They wonder why
all of Humanity is
now sterile, wooden.
Why trust died in the '80's,
and honesty is now a joke.
The women despising men
the men denigrating women,
the children left right out.
Dad chimes in with calm
cool philosophical thought.
'They must relax, just settle.
They still have a naked moon
every 28 days - we don't.
They have the sun to warm
their backs - we don't.
They have St Kilda souvlaki,
Katoomba peaks, Carlton.
They have wildlife, The 'G'
and they have Antarctica.'
Robin Williams smiles broadly
'The 'G'? Mal you do go on.
They have bodies, man! Flesh
and bones, eyes, ears. They
breathe oxygen, marry, even eat.
Mal, did you ever eat grubs,
kangaroo? Emu eggs? What
I'd give to bite into a hot dog!'
Whitman laughs at the banter.
He adds 'I still can't believe
film. How do they manage
to project life onto a screen?
Amazing. You know with all
the technological wizardry,
how can they be miserable?
Mal? Robin? What is it exactly
they are after?'

Mal again 'love'
And Robin 'love'
Walt mused 'Always was'

The three spirits smiled

[Boss]

Mick,
after thirty years
it was not me -
I didn't kill you

It was not my fault,
I wasn't responsible
I wasn't your father -
Dad was, mate

I miss you
always will x