A Father's Dilemma

My son has cystic fibrosis.

He is going to die.

If I let him closer,

It will hurt more.

If I hold him at a distance,

It will hurt less …

And I lose him sooner.

(Author’s note: Brian died

about ten years after I penned

this piece. I had lost it since.

Last night my memory

brought it back to me.)