DAD

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The sun is distant
But I feel the warmth of its skin
The stars are unreachable
But I see the light in their eyes
The moon cannot hold me
But I am counseled by its tides
Sounds don’t exist
But I remember every song 
The air is invisible
But it’s as pungent as
Slapped on aftershave
And it
swells my heart 
Like a party balloon
And it makes me feel safe
Especially on these days
that are as dark and terrifying as 
The shadow world of the nighttime nursery
Where I used to cry out your name
Because
Sleep always felt 
like certain death
And you always 
always 
came
As if from outer space
Armed with a smile which was
The absolute currency
Of the resolute salesman who
Had something very real to sell.

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