Father

Watch how I do it
He says, watch
how to change a tire
      nuts all in the hubcap
make sure the parking
brake is on.

Watch how to shave
how to change
      the Ford’s oil
      a light bulb
      air conditioner filters

Watch how I do it,
how I
      love your mother
      help your sister
      out of a tree

      into the car
      into college

Watch how I do it,
      use a table saw,
      fingers away and safe.
      How I put on a band-aid,
      draw a face on it
      to make pain fade.

Watch me cry when you hurt
      Catch you, set you
      on your feet again and again and again,
      never tiring.

Watch me create the tree for my own cross,
      die for my loves,
      for you.

Watch, He said, how I do it.

Introduction to the song Good Good Father. From Matthew 11:28-30.