In My Father’s Atmosphere 

                       By Jade

I know you are still here

otherwise, how could a crisp call before dawn

blurted out from me, and

for several days?

you must have wanted to hear me

calling you “dad” again

I sit at the dinner table in the morning 

on the left is your seat, and the mug 

that I gave you last Father's Day

I used to warm up a bowl of soy milk for you

then quietly shared a fritter 

sometimes, I made a pot of dough drop soup 

we both ate wholeheartedly, face to face 

but now, only a bowl of cold cereal

catching my tears

These days, I fell asleep on the sofa in the living room

your smell is still there, also on the blanket, and books

in this world, and in the coming years

I would never find the smell of my father again

let me enjoy the last few peaceful sleep nights

in my father’s atmosphere 

                            2019.9.6