Poem of the Week: 'Meeting My Fathers' by Katrina Naomi

Meeting My Fathers

Derek, first to arrive, is in Barbour shirt, sensible trousers;

Sonnie wears denims, shirt open to mid-chest, 

his St Christopher hanging, heavy. 

I don't know why I'm here. Derek has left

his collection of international friends in the saloon bar.

Sonnie unwraps his Toby jugs, sets them in a circle, 

like an invocation-

then I remember, he's already dead.

My mother works behind the bar.

I pay for the drinks.

She looks at both men, can't decide between them,

can't imagine what she ever saw in either.

My sister wipes our table.

It's been so long, Derek doesn't recognise her, 

wanders back to his friends.

Sonnie starts to disintegrate, becomes a slick, 

something my mother will have to clear up. 

I can probably sell the medallion.

Part of the The Emma Press Anthology of Fatherhood, Katrina Naomi's poem explores meeting her 'fathers', covering issues of identity, independence and family. Naomi's poem shows Fatherhood from the perspective of a grown-up child, and tackles the issue of having two possible fathers lightheartedly. This brilliantly honest and stark depiction of the Father character sits perfectly within the wide array of different Fathers within this modern anthology. 

The Emma Press Anthology of Fatherhood is published by The Emma Press, and available to purchase on our website here. 

 Blog by Katie Cruci.