Man with an untapped well of anger
(you remind me of my father).
Man with ice-for-eyes and a warm coal pupil,
hold me sternly and sing softly 
(whisper that which I refuse to hear).

Man with a smile on a timer--
wait for it, or me; I love your smile
and catching it sideways in the car when
you know I’m catching.

Take me (too) seriously, I’m 
passenger, privy to you.

Man, play me like a piano 
with an untapped well of anger
key to the back door
slip out the trap door
you remind me of my father 
you remind me of the man who
and the other man who
with his ice-coal eyes
invited me into his austere and lonely offices.