"Edwardo's Father" - Envisioning Justice RE:ACTION

“Edwardo’s Father”

Excerpt of a poem, reading:

Written in response to Small Illuminations” by Tara Betts

Edwardo’s Father
stands in the doorway of my classroom,
a large cumulus cloud and waits for permission to enter.
He sits in the chair by my desk,
tells me he wants to be a part of his son’s circle.
Later, he tells me what I already know,
why he is here after so many missed years,
how he was let out a few days ago–
Any advice on how to catch up?
I walk him to my doorway, tell him to go first,
and go with him to the outside door
where he waits for me to tell him it’s OK.
Somethings we take for granted, but he, not ready,
has a boulder of probation against his skin,
a pathway full of jagged stone
and, he shoeless, trying to maneuver a way.
Outside, his shoulders slump,
he turns, gives me a somewhat smile,
and bending his head, enters the storm of blue sky.