what he carried

I remembered it

suddenly

when the light

struck the fence

just so

while I smelled

cut grass

and I remembered

my father

taking me outside

in his arms

saying, it’s ok Ben

saying, it’s not your fault

and setting me gently

on the warm sidewalk

by another fence

with that same light

and other cut grass

(I was crying –

a slap)

and I think

there was yelling

inside

while I cried

near the fence

till Daddy lifted me

away from there

and on the drive home

I asked in fear

is that man your brother

and he said no

and now I remember

what my father

could not forget

I did meet my uncle.